Comments on: Big Brother Sympatico

By: grumpy^dwarf

grumpy^dwarf — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 19:39:55 +0000

ok i wonder how well ther spying does on a linux user lol

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 01:02:05 +0000

Since, Sympatico has decided to put in that neat little clause saying they’re watching us, my comedy group decided to make a video of what the “future” of sympatico will look like. Michael Geist who is quoted in the article has posted this on his blog and hopefully more people will see it. It stars everyone’s favourite corporate helper “Agent Emily”. Tell us what you think! Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcP3V9bgUoI

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Sun, 02 Jul 2006 21:18:51 +0000

This is why it is vitally important to set up local muni-nets, freewans, and other such services. It is also of secondary importance to use such services as Tor and Privoxy.
Any infrastructure owned by governments and cartels should be considered higly untrustworthy. If they own it, they can watch it. If one is forced to use cartel or government controlled infrastrure because there are no cooperating people who wish to form freewans or muninets, Then one should use Privoxy and Tor and/or similar privacy protection programs. Thes programs encrypts communications and then routes said communications through multiple computers. Yes, with great effort, it is possible to intercept such communication, however, let’s not make it easier on the enemy.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:23:58 +0000

5. Changing user policy to look like AT&T’s, Cutting usenet service and out-sourcing Email to the states in order to cut down on the data logging whip-lash they would have.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:03:56 +0000

True. AT&T Also did a released saying they respect their customers privacy ect..

But the Globe and Mail is known to make hyped sympatico claims. And an interesting note, Globe and mail is owned by BCE (Bell) which owns sympatico…. Go figure.

what are the enteraining posibilities on this:

1. Its true?

2. Its a hyped Globe and Mail article (wouldn’t be the 1st time)?

Tin foil hat on here…

3. A Bell/Gov leaked story to feel the waters for when/if it happens in the fall (if its debated and passes [new laws], since sympatico is the largest of the ISP’s)?

4. To take the heat away from others bitching about about the sympatico switch to american owned email and subject to the patriot act?

I’m sure alot of theories can come of this…

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 20:27:22 +0000

And here in America, we have had a similar spat with AT&T. Apparently, AT&T updated their privacy policy and it now states that AT&T OWNS your data.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 23:02:26 +0000

“Sympatico isn’t, of course, purely Canadian. It’s a joint Microsoft, Bell Canada operation launched in 2004 to coincide with the introduction of MSN Premium.”

That’s completely false. First, Sympatico is a brand, not a company. Second, it was launched by Bell Canada ten and a half years ago - without Microsoft.

Bell outsources the Sympatico branded email to MSN.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 22:50:47 +0000

However, This makes you wonder why such a huge name as Dr. Michael Geist would be heard commenting on this recent Sympatico news event which was carried on airwaves such as Global, Globe & mail and other province radio shows.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 22:29:42 +0000

from: Luvie (too lazy to reg myself :/ ):

Sympatico Just released this (on its user forum):

• Misleading news coverage has been made in the news regarding Bell Sympatico customer service agreement suggesting that Sympatico is unlawfully monitoring customer’s accounts.
• This information is misleading and Bell Canada takes customer privacy very seriously.

Bell Canada Position:

Bell Canada has a long and established history of protecting the privacy of its customers. Bell collaborates with law enforcement agencies only when presented with a legitimate court ordered warrants. To suggest that we are illegally or routinely monitoring our customers beyond legislative requirements is inaccurate and false.”

I want to reassure you that Bell Canada is committed in protecting our customer’s privacy. We only work with law enforcements agencies when they have a presented us with a court-ordered warrant. This is consistent across the Internet Service Industries.