US Patriot Act, privacy
My server is on LINODE machine outside of the US, but the government can still get my data and I won't even know about it.
I urge all LINODE customers to put pressure on LINODE. LINODE must put pressure on the US government to REPEAL the PATRIOT ACT.
My server on Linode works great, but I am eagerly looking for an opportunity to switch to a provider that is NOT based in the USA.
28 Replies
If you care for privacy of your data (and that of your clients), you might consider contacting Linode like I did.
> Hi,
Thank you for contacting us. We never access the internals filesystems of Linodes without express customer permission or legal subpoena. If it helps to place a little more ease on your nerves, you're free to use the dm-crypt kernel module if you're truly concerned about security and privacy – the Linode Library touches on the pros and cons of this setup:
http://library.linode.com/security/basi … itive-data">http://library.linode.com/security/basics#sph_encrypt-sensitive-data If it interests you, you can also read more about our privacy policy here:
http://www.linode.com/privacy.cfm You can rest assured that we take customer privacy very seriously and all sensitive information is handled with the utmost importance and care. With that being said, we are a US-based company and must adhere to US laws and regulations.
If there is anything further we can assist you with, please let us know.
-Danny
@peteras:
I urge all LINODE customers to put pressure on LINODE. LINODE must put pressure on the US government to REPEAL the PATRIOT ACT.
I understand that you're not from the US, but you must be really ignorant of the US to think that pressure from linode is going to get the Patriot Act repealed. Pressure from a lot of groups a hell of a lot bigger than linode has done no good in that respect.
@glg:
I understand that you're not from the US, but you must be really ignorant of the US to think that pressure from linode is going to get the Patriot Act repealed. Pressure from a lot of groups a hell of a lot bigger than linode has done no good in that respect.
How do you know that I am not from the US?
A thousand mile journey starts with a single step. So must start the pressure on the US government to stop violating the US constitution.
The Patriot Act (and similar recent laws) are already seriously hurting the US IT companies. You don't have to be a PhD to understand that your data in the US are not safe.
As I already said, I know that this post will not make the US government to behave, and I am looking for the opportunity to switch to a different provider (that does not do business within US jurisdiction).
What's a legal subpoena? I thought the issue was the government could access data without a subpoena? and, linode would be unable to confirm or deny or otherwise notify the customer.
In my case, I truly have nothing to hide, but that's not the point. This is part of a bigger global issue that affects everyone, so I support those who fight against it.
If I use encfs for my /home, and have it open 24/7, can the host see unencrypted data on /home on my linode? or do they have to go through my kernel?
I'm guessing they have to go through my kernel, I'm not sure how easy that is though.
@chesty:
linode says "We never access the internals filesystems of Linodes without express customer permission or legal subpoena."
What's a legal subpoena? I thought the issue was the government could access data without a subpoena? and, linode would be unable to confirm or deny or otherwise notify the customer.
In my case, I truly have nothing to hide, but that's not the point. This is part of a bigger global issue that affects everyone, so I support those who fight against it.
If I use encfs for my /home, and have it open 24/7, can the host see unencrypted data on /home on my linode? or do they have to go through my kernel?
I'm guessing they have to go through my kernel, I'm not sure how easy that is though.
Bravo, Chesty!
@peteras:
that your data in the US are not safe
And where (exactly) is this mystical safe haven for data that you imagine exists somewhere in the world?
- Les
@akerl:
I generally store all my data with budget providers in developing nations, preferably in areas with strict dictatorships. I've found that's the best way to ensure my data is safe and sound.
This turns out to be the most convenient practice as well, since there is no need to encrypt and decrypt data.
James
@peteras:
@glg:I understand that you're not from the US, but you must be really ignorant of the US to think that pressure from linode is going to get the Patriot Act repealed. Pressure from a lot of groups a hell of a lot bigger than linode has done no good in that respect.
How do you know that I am not from the US?
Sorry, maybe you are, I was giving you the benefit of the doubt for an incredibly naive thought that pressure from linode would do anything whatsoever to get the Patriot Act repealed. If you're not from the US, that naivety is reasonable. If you are from the US, it's not.
@glg:
Sorry, maybe you are, I was giving you the benefit of the doubt for an incredibly naive thought that pressure from linode would do anything whatsoever to get the Patriot Act repealed. If you're not from the US, that naivety is reasonable. If you are from the US, it's not.
Thank you for the compliments. I am so incredibly naive that I also vote.
@peteras:
Thank you for the compliments. I am so incredibly naive that I also vote.
Let me guess, you went thru the oxymoron called the American Education System right?
The one where no moron is left behind, the one where it's all about the standardized test and nothing about actual learning or thinking, the one where the teachers all race to tenure and then zone out in "you can't fire me" land? The one where you need ZERO credentials and about the same IQ to get on the School Board?
> Let me guess, you went thru the oxymoron called the American Education System right?
The one where no moron is left behind, the one where it's all about the standardized test and nothing about actual learning or thinking, the one where the teachers all race to tenure and then zone out in "you can't fire me" land? The one where you need ZERO credentials and about the same IQ to get on the School Board?
Wow, with a ringing endorsement like that, sign me up!
- Les
@vonskippy:
…the one where it's all about the standardized test and nothing about actual learning or thinking
I'm calling you out on this one, as I can prove you wrong here. You live in Colorado, right? Colorado means "place of color", just as silverado means "place of silver". Since the words rhyme I know I'm right, and my sense of self-esteem is more important than your so-called "learning" anyway so you'd better agree with me or I might feel offended.
James
@peteras:
My server on Linode works great, but I am eagerly looking for an opportunity to switch to a provider that is NOT based in the USA.
I'm questioning the notion that Linode is based in the USA… they spelled color wrong in the picker on the side of the compose window in the forum…
@peteras:
You people are overpaid as*holes with too much time on your hands. No wonder America is becoming a crappy place!
I suggest that you move on if you have nothing constructive for this discussion.
Wait a second, you're adding constructive comments to this thread? I would've never known. Grow up, if your data is that important follow the Library links that were listed on the front page.
@peteras:
You people are overpaid as*holes with too much time on your hands. No wonder America is becoming a crappy place!
I suggest that you move on if you have nothing constructive for this discussion.
Get real, this thread was rubbish from the get go.
If you're naive enough to think there is ANY host on this planet that is immune from ANY government pressure you're dumber then you sound.
As to being overpaid, never, I'm worth every pfennig (besides, private school for my daughters ain't cheap).
@peteras:
No wonder America is becoming a crappy place!
What do you expect? Our president is a robot secretly controlled by the CIA and NSA, so - mmph , mmmph! HELP… mmph…
@zunzun:
What do you expect? Our president is a robot secretly controlled by the CIA and NSA, so - mmph , mmmph! HELP… mmph…
A gay Kenyan muslim robot?
@sweh:
A gay Kenyan muslim robot?
While this recent photo proves you are partially correct, it is my understanding that most of the control wiring on his left side is actually straight.
@zunzun:
@peteras:No wonder America is becoming a crappy place!
What do you expect? Our president is a robot secretly controlled by the CIA and NSA, so - mmph , mmmph! HELP… mmph…
But he can spell color correctly. Just saying…
@mwalling:
But he can spell color correctly. Just saying…
Pffffft - so what? Even I could program him to do that much.
James
@peteras:
@glg:Sorry, maybe you are, I was giving you the benefit of the doubt for an incredibly naive thought that pressure from linode would do anything whatsoever to get the Patriot Act repealed. If you're not from the US, that naivety is reasonable. If you are from the US, it's not.
Thank you for the compliments. I am so incredibly naive that I also vote.
What he said, and also the fact you're about a decade late in trying to fight it.
Okay, so I don't mean that entirely, but I think people get a bit too worked up about it. You have to call some level of attention to yourself for them to go after you. The US government probably doesn't care about your Wordpress blog that gets 2 hits per month even if you slather it with anti-US propaganda. I wouldn't let this particular issue convince you to stop using Linode unless you're doing something you shouldn't be. As other people stated, if you're that worried, use encryption and make it difficult to get your data. But don't let this keep you awake at night rocking back and forth. Can't sleep. Patriot Act will eat me.