Astraweb - Acceptable Use Policy

[Ted-Celle]

So they say they do not store logs about what is downloaded etc, but they say they retain personal data indefinitely even after the account has been cancelled for the "sole purpose of tracking abuse cases."
Does anyone have insight? What is the purpose of retaining their customer's personal information indefinitely if they do not have logs that contain anything of substance anyways? It just doesn't add up to me. Can anyone shed some light?

http://www.news.astraweb.com/privacy.html

[c0ld]

Hmm. Why care?

[Ted-Celle]

"Why care" doesn't answer my question...but thanks for posting.

[c0ld]

*sigh* Abuse means anything definitely illegal for which they've been notified of by the authorities or interested agents; stuff like uploading illegal copyrighted stuff and kiddie porn. They don't need to record your downloads for that, do they?

Maybe astraweb isn't for you though. Join up with Giganews and bombard them with questions like this, I'm sure you'll be happy with their ""customer" service".

[Ted-Celle]

I don't upload or download anything like that...
but I'm just noticing what appears to be a discrepancy in their user acceptance policy and seeking clarity from others.
Don't be such a dick about it. If you don't have the answer, just don't respond. Telling me to go to giganews is not an answer.

[c0ld]

I don't upload or download anything like that...
still doesn't get it.

[zot]

pay no mind to c0ld, he's just our resident troll. :)

I think most usenet providers have a similar data-retention policy, regardless of what they admit to or not. Mostly they want to be able to track down and go after spammers, since that directly affects their bottom line. They keep your name and address, etc on file (assuming you did not give a bogus one) and your posts/uploads can be identified to you for as long as the retention on the server (nearly 2 years)

I seem to recall an Easynews rep was saying one time that they held upload logs for a year, even though their retention was far less at the time, apparently they were getting pressure from authorities over childporn issues.

[Ted-Celle]

pay no mind to c0ld, he's just our resident troll. :)

I think most usenet providers have a similar data-retention policy, regardless of what they admit to or not. Mostly they want to be able to track down and go after spammers, since that directly affects their bottom line. They keep your name and address, etc on file (assuming you did not give a bogus one) and your posts/uploads can be identified to you for as long as the retention on the server (nearly 2 years)

I seem to recall an Easynews rep was saying one time that they held upload logs for a year, even though their retention was far less at the time, apparently they were getting pressure from authorities over childporn issues.

Got it..so they keep your personal information to link it to uploads...if law enforcement requires..but for downloads, they don't retain logs.
Appreciate the straight forward response.

[SonsOfLiberty]

Well not really since most bots do uploading it's hard to track robots!!!!

They do it for child porn and stuff like this.