Hi,

Lately I’ve been looking into Usenet, and maybe this time I was planning to try it out (I am aware of Usenet since circa 2000s, so I sort of know what it is).

Still there are some things I still didn’t figure out:

  • from what I see a Usenet provider and an indexer is required. And from what I gather, both are paid (indexer not exclusively paid but its better). Considering what Usenet is used for, is it sort if a requirement to pay in btc?
  • what sort of content is usually Usenet more useful for?
  • for what I see, Usenet tends to use SSL like the rest of the web. However, i would argue it gives to the ISP the visibility that you are in fact at least starting/ending connections to Usenet. Is this an issue? If so, does it make VPN a mandatory requirement? Or orbot for that matter
  • one thing that bothers me greatly: I’ve checked the privacy policy for the most 3 known providers (news hosting, Usenet server and euweka) and, first of all, i find incredibly sus that these seemingly 3 different providers have a sort of copy pasted privacy policy. Then, I noticed there is this magic line on it

Communicate with you about products, services, promotions, events, and other news and information we think will be of interest to you.

So I assume they are selling data somehow to advertisers?

  • @[email protected]English
    2•5 days ago

    one thing that bothers me greatly: I’ve checked the privacy policy for the most 3 known providers (news hosting, Usenet server and euweka) and, first of all, i find incredibly sus that these seemingly 3 different providers have a sort of copy pasted privacy policy. Then, I noticed there is this magic line on it

    they are all owned under the same company, these are just three different brands they operate under. they arent the best privacy wise and would probably roll over on you if push came to shove.

    • @ZeDoTelhadoOPEnglish
      1•4 days ago

      Do people tend to use different providers? Because these I got from a search, and ended up on the same usual suspects that I am almost sure all of them were ai written

      • @[email protected]English
        1•3 days ago

        Yes plenty of other providers. you see those 4 or 5 in search because they pay big money to be there. There are also a lot of fake review websites that pimp them because they pay a lot of money to those sites to suggest them. something the small providers can not compete with.

  • @[email protected]English
    4•6 days ago
    1. Depends on where you live. Where I live people can share media (but not software) amongst their close circle so it’s impossible to persecute. Don’t really need to worry so I pay with whatever digital payment (card, Apple Pay etc) is available.
    2. Linux distros from blockbuster studios, music produced on Linux, tv shows about Linux admins. I’ve heard there’s Linux porn but I haven’t felt urge.
    3. Haven’t really heard of ISPs really looking into Usenet traffic in recent times. I’ve heard of traffic shaping on heavy users ages ago.
    4. Assume this is a regular commercial product exploiting legal loopholes to serve as a hosting solution of many illegal Linux media. Assume that you don’t have privacy because nobody is going to fight legal battles for you if you use it for more than that. If someone promises you different they either lie or haven’t been coerced yet.
    • @ZeDoTelhadoOPEnglish
      2•6 days ago

      I really like the Linux flair part. Thanks for the answer! I assume however that one probably does not want to go into Linux porn around Usenet. I an fairly certain you can end up in the unsavory part of it quite quickly.

  • ChewyEnglish
    2•6 days ago

    • Usenet is particularly useful for media like movies and tv. I wouldn’t trust executables (games, other software).

    • The ISP does not care what you do, except for selling your data to advertisers etc.
      If an ISP receives complaints from copyright owners about illegal things you do, they are required to tell you that you must stop doing those illegal things (or even pass on your personal information, depending on your jurisdiction. Looking at you, Germany).

    • Given your only downloading from Usenet, not uploading like with torrents, you can’t get sued for distributing copyrighted materials.
      Thus the theoretical possible fine amounts to pretty much the price you’d pay to legally buy a BluRay. This price is so low it does not make financial sense for copyright owners to sue individuals who simply download.

    • Usenet is legal, just like VPNs are legal and using the Internet is legal. Given your using transport encryption, only your Usenet provider and you know what you download. Just like a VPN provider and your ISP, they don’t care what you do, unless they get complaints from a copyright owner (which they won’t, because there’s no way for copyright owners to know what you do on Usenet).

    • Yes, Omicron providers and others aren’t the most trustworthy when it comes to privacy. Legally it shouldn’t be a risk, but if you really care just pay with cryptocurrencies, use a private eMail provider and always use a VPN from a different company.