Subj : Re: FTN-style mailers/re
To   : deon
From : poindexter FORTRAN
Date : Sun Dec 22 2024 10:36 am

-=> deon wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

 de> I've never understood that thinking:

 de> a) If it was clear text, and illegal content passed through a hub,
 de> what's the difference to it being encrypted? Its not like hubs have to
 de> proof read and approve/forward netmail. (IE: It can still happen).

I'd presume having the ability to read in-transit packets is the point,
not the actual reading/moderating of said packets.

Back then, Cubby vs. CompuServe was the de facto precedent - claiming
that CompuServe couldn't be liable for content because they were more
like a common carrier providing a medium for people to exchange ideas,
not a moderated forum that they exerted editorial control over.

BBSes glommed onto that idea, as a single sysop managing a system with
hundreds of echoes and messages passing through, we just moved packets
and presented them as-is without any benefit to us.

This was before section 230 of the communications decency act and long
before services started influencing what content they showed to sell ads
and influence people.

 de> b) If I cant read it, I cant be held accountable for what it says.

 de> c) SMTP servers do the same thing - often residential email goes
 de> through the ISP, and sometimes onto a mail service before getting to
 de> its destination - they dont reject encrypted mail (to my knowledge
 de> anyway).

True, I don't think there's been any attempt to hold services liable for
routing mail - I suppose since mail doesn't remain on the in-transit
servers there's no content on their systems for a sysop to be held
liable. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has tried...

 de> And if you were that worried about it, dont be a hub :)

BUT WHEN YOU'RE PASSING PACKETS THROUGH MY BBS IT'S LIKE STORING MAIL IN
MY LIVING ROOM AND YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW MY RULES!!!!!!!!!!

(Man, I used to hate those sysops who equated BBS callers to house
guests...)



 
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