Hetzner

[Timo Schoeler]

Hi Sebastian,

> Hi Timo,
> 
> On Jun 18, 2009, at 8:00 AM, Timo Schoeler wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> IMHO it's not the problem of 'how TOR works' or the (unquestionable)
>> benefits it provides, it's more the problem of the 'image' of the ISP
>> that hosts (customer's) exit nodes and therefore might have problems
>> with the local law (copyright infringements, etc).
> 
> The first step really is understanding how Tor works (for example, that 
> there is a difference between exit and non-exit nodes).

Sure. But -- from the ISP's lawyers POV -- where's the difference 
between providing _encrypted_ and maybe _anonymized_ access to 
$FORBIDDEN_CONTENT and _unencryped_, _not annonymized_ access? There 
just is no difference. You're _possibly_ (sic!) breaking the law, and 
this is sufficient to shut down your machine.

This is some kind of 'minority report' becoming reality.

> But "how Tor 
> works" doesn't stop at explaining the technical aspects, it's also about 
> the community, the people who depend on it, and the role of the ISP.
> 
>> Especially the censorship^Wchild porn filtering discussion in Germany
>> forces this topic being discussed, as claiming an exit node having
>> provided access to forbidden content is the 'A-bomb of getting a host
>> down' -- even if it didn't something forbidden.
> 
> Being a part of that decision and clearly showing where you stand is 
> better than passively watching.

That's more than true; however, I just wanted to show (and thusly, 
prepare for action in consequence) that (especially) German ISPs will be 
much more rigid from now on.

Timo

>> Best,
>>
>> Timo
> 
> Best
> Sebastian