DnA 9-19: NETCOM.COM: Censorship Policy
And Now for a Special word from our friendly neighborhood NAZIS at netcom
NETCOMS CENSORSHIP POLICY: This appeared in My E-mail at netcom a few weeks ago and I thought it was something people who are looking for a internet server should read...
It is not NETCOM's policy to censor messages posted by NETCOM customers to NETCOM newsgroups or any newsgroups. It is however the case however that if a customer posts a message critical of NETCOM to a Netcom forum, NETCOM may try to call and intimidate the poster from writing any more critical comments to the public forums.
In this particular instance, there was a critical post about NetCruiser, NETCOM's new software to be released soon. It came to the attention of NETCOM management and several unsuccessful attempts were made to "contact" the customer by phone. At that point, the account was "paralyzed", i.e. the session is terminated after login with a message to contact NETCOM.
The account was actually "paralyzed" for less than 2 hours (minimizing any liability on NETCOM's part to actual damages). When the individual called into NETCOM a conversation took place regarding the message posted and the individual expressed remorse deemed sufficient for probationary reinstatement. After the discussion the persons account was reinstated and credited one month as part of the agreement for silence on the individual's part.
I also believe that some clarification in terms is needed. When an Account is "paralyzed", that account is essentially inoperational. Meaning your files are inaccessible, you cannot receive mail (even if you have received new messages) etc. During this time no aspect of your account, except perhaps the "aspect" of your modem connecting with ours, is working.
This of course is just a prelude, and quite similar, to having your account canceled or dropped. In this case personal email sent to your account will bounce, your files are vaporized, and any anonymous ftp files and directories are trashed. NETCOM does not removed or drop accounts without at least talking to the customer and making it clear to them they have no choice in the matter.
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John Hoffman Senior Netcom System Administrator
jhoffman@netcom.com I HATE Fleas !!
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