FTC vs. Open Relays, round 2

mbrain writes "PC World is reporting on a new federal program run by the FTC to close relays and proxies that serve as spam gateways. It's called 'Operation Secure Your Server'. The FTC will publicize this program by... sending tens of thousands of emails." I think it's a continuation of this program.

Comments

MOD PARENT DOWN AS "DIMWITTED"

[fmaxwell]

Whether you like it or not, there's nothing that's wrong about having open relays.

Bullshit. If your open relay is used by spammers, it inconveniences hundreds of thousands, or even millions of users. It costs ISPs and businesses money to deal with the spam that's spewing out of your open relay.

If I wish to leave my house door unlocked, it's not the business of the government to tell me I have to lock it. It may be irresponsible, but it's my right.

What a stupid analogy! If you leave your house unlocked, the only person likely to be hurt by it is you when you come home and find your stereo, PC, and TV gone. If you leave an open relay, you potentially hurt many innocent third parties. If you want a better analogy, it's like the government telling you that you can't leave a loaded shotgun on a picnic bench in a public park.

Just the same, I have the right to have an open relay and not close it. They have no right to tell me how to run my server. I accept the consequences of how I run it.

So does that mean that you're going to reimburse me and the other postmasters who have to deal with the spam? Are you going to compensate the users who got spam through your open relay? Are you willing to accept legal responsibility for the porn ads sent through your system to e-mail addresses of children? If not, in what way are you accepting the consequences?

Re:I foresee some problems with this...

[TekPolitik]

Getting a "your server is attracting the attention of our investigators" letter from a federal agency is probably enough...

I can picture their email box now:

His Excellency, Minister Okufla BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY
Suzy Come see my naked webcam
Bill Gates Forward this message to receive $1000
Lotteries Administrator You're a winner
John Jones Credit Application Declined
FBI Your server is attracting the attention of our investigators

Yes sirree, they're going to be real sure to take that emailed warning seriously.

getting a letter from the FTC

[frovingslosh]

and getting a letter from the FTC won't change that (in most instances.)

Actually, if I got a letter from the FTC I might well look into what it said. But if I got an email supposedly from the FTC, I would likely just ignore it without even opening it (after forwarding a copy to uce@ftc.gov).

Please stop pointing out the FTC is US only (d'uh)

[maggard]

For those not literate enough to read the linked story (yet apparently compulsively posting here) let me quote the second sentence(emphasis mine):

The FTC and 36 other government agencies from 26 countries have launched Operation Secure Your Server.

All of those who have already posted inane comments about the US's FTC not having extra-territorial jurisdiction, and the fools who moderated them up, are now asked to read the original article out loud to themselves and in the future refrain from posting until they're sure they're not making public asses of themselves.