Tor exit node operator arrested in Russia (TorServers.net blog) [LWN.net]

Tor exit node operator arrested in Russia (TorServers.net blog)

Posted Apr 18, 2017 15:54 UTC (Tue) by gb (subscriber, #58328)
In reply to: Tor exit node operator arrested in Russia (TorServers.net blog) by gowen
Parent article: Tor exit node operator arrested in Russia (TorServers.net blog)

One though bothers me for a long time regarding this. Can we say that by creating open source software people are helping terrorists?

As operating system is available to everyone without any restrictions - terrorists also may use it, so people working on let's say Linux really helping terrorists - by providing them means to run advanced technologies.

It is possible to extend that further by saying - authors of the message board helped terrorists by creating way for them to communicate.

Or further - people who allowed tor to operate in the country actually helped terrorists because they know that such situation is possible.

Or we can make it wider by saying that people who elected people who didn't pay attention that tor may be used as means of communications for the terrorists.

One could be very creative with finding responsible... Where is the line and why?

to post comments

Tor exit node operator arrested in Russia (TorServers.net blog)

Posted Apr 18, 2017 16:14 UTC (Tue) by liw (subscriber, #6379) [Link] (2 responses)

By not killing everyone, Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are letting terrorists live.

If those who build free software help terrorists, how come those who make proprietary software aren't helping them?

This line of thinking really makes no sense.

Tor exit node operator arrested in Russia (TorServers.net blog)

Posted Apr 18, 2017 17:11 UTC (Tue) by pizza (subscriber, #46) [Link] (1 responses)

> If those who build free software help terrorists, how come those who make proprietary software aren't helping them?

That's easy; the proprietary software's EULA says you can't use it for "bad things", and terrorists would never violate EULAs because violating contractual agreements is the worst, most morally repugnant thing that anyone could do.

Tor exit node operator arrested in Russia (TorServers.net blog)

Posted Apr 19, 2017 8:05 UTC (Wed) by madhatter (subscriber, #4665) [Link]

Rarely have I so much wished that LWN's comments had "like" buttons (for authenticated subscribers). That said, you owe me a new keyboard.