On the personally identifiablity of IP addresses

Most IP address can be linked to a person, or group of people, given a time. If this was not
true then it would be impossible to get spammer's accounts nuked by sending the appropriate
information to their ISP. Some ISPs policies include penalties like hefty clean up fees or
your telephone[*] not working if your account is nuked for internet abuse.

Provided you do it soon enough the data logged by ISPs can turn an IP address and time into an
account name, which almost certainly constitutes protected personal information. At least in
the EU when one does get a reply to a spam report you never learn any names but do get the
account nuked.

FYI 80.176.136.7 is reserved for my use and use thereof is strong evidence I was responsible.
Fortunately I have a strong (dedicated linux IP tables) firewall box and mail server which
does not support third party relaying.

Duncan (-:

[*] BT broadband customers are liable to lose their BT telephone service in addition to their
broadband connection.