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Swedish ISP Deletes Customer ID Info
NewYorkCountryLawyer writes "A Swedish internet service provider, Bahnhof, has begun deleting customer identification information in order to prevent it from being used as evidence against its customers under Sweden's new legislation against copyright infringement via peer-to-peer file sharing. According to this report on 'The Local,' it is entirely legal for it to do so. The company's CEO, Jon Karlung, is identified as 'a vociferous opponent of the measures that came into force on April 1st,' and is quoted saying that he is determined to protect the company's clients, and that 'It's about the freedom to choose, and the law makes it possible to retain details. We're not acting in breach of IPRED; we're following the law and choosing to destroy the details.'"
Judging by the recent trial of TPB, following the letter of the law in Sweden is not enough to defend yourself if the case ends up in court.
I don't actually fileshare, but Bahnhof, you have my support and the day you support e-faktura (electronic bills & payment) I'll support you with my business too. /Actual Swede
While I love this decision also, I find it sad that we now applaud people who want to take care of their customers... Didn't that used to be a given?
Speaking as someone that handles consumer's problems - you are correct. There's nothing I hate more than hearing "Sorry for your inconvenience." - especially from airline employees!
Oh yeah! How about, the next time you're on strike and bitching about how you're not making enough, I walk up to you and say, "Sorry about the inconvenience!"
Here's the thing, with this shitty economy, companies are seeing the light! Amen! They're paying attention to customers. Just walk into a Home Depot now. I got asked 4 times if I found what I'm looking for! Now, they're pissing me off for being so helpful. Talk about the pendulum swinging!
P.S. To you Aladrin: I see that big orange ball by your userID. For what it's worth, whatever I said, I meant nothing personal, but I stand by my opinions. I take responsibility for what I've said that has offended you. Judge me as you will.
I hope this won't be like what happens in the US where the company deletes data, but when pressured by the courts, they happen to recover a backup.
It's worked out GREAT for libraries in the US. The PATRIOT act requires that libraries give up book borrowing records without even a warrant. So within a year or two pretty much all of the common library management software packages were updated to delete all record of who/where/when/what was borrowed as soon as the book is returned. Few people would ever guess it, but most librarians are almost militant about patron privacy.
When information is power, privacy is freedom.
At least here in the US, our corporations are not afraid of "thugs bearing guns and badges" because they are paying those thugs.
That's the modern-day equivalent of when a US governor would send out National Guard troops to kill striking coal miners and their families.
We should never forget that the people who fought and died to create the labor union movement in this country were every bit heroes as the men who stormed Normandy.
We may be about to find out what it's like to live under the thumb of corporate fascists and their puppets in government.
You are welcome on my lawn.