Re: [Lilux-info] P&T Blocking outgoing SMTP/SSL Port 465

I think such a filtered/broken by design/limited Internet access is just not compliant with what is called "an Internet access". You should then complain about the unconformity of the delivered service. More than that, by acting on base of the bytes located _after_ the IP header (the protocol layer and more precisely the TCP port fields), EPT is accessing _your_ data and not the data they must access to provide the service. Indeed, to provide an IP service, the processing of the IP header is sufficient. The remaining data is _yours_ and should fall under the rules applicable to communications (letters, phone, telex, ...). Without legal obligations/authorisation to do so, they shouldn't be allowed to even look at it. They have right to collect information useful to _protect their network_ (security issues, such as checking if the IP packet is not intentionally corrupted to harm some of their devices) or to _invoice you_ (such as counting the amount of bytes transferred, the timestamps of aDSL connections, ...) At Internet Society Luxembourg <http://isoc.lu>, we already discussed about cases like this one, and we are in favour of some _optional_ limitations, even activated by default, as soon as they can be removed on simple request. As example, most of the end-users are not running SMTP servers or relays at home, so it could be acceptable that port 25 is blocked by default, as long as it is opened on single request. This policy is followed by some ISPs in Luxembourg. Here, aside of the unconformity of the service and the violation of your privacy, there is a third aspect: the forced sales of a service, which is also illegal. Indeed, by blocking your possibility to access a given service (here the e-mail service) provided by third parties on the Internet, you are (more or less for the time being) forced to opt for the EPT e-mail service. Even if it is free for the moment, it could not last, especially if EPT Internet access customers have no other choice any more. This implies also that any EPT customer would be obliged to have their e-mails stored at some point in time on EPT servers (privacy ?). In some northern EU state, a telco (providing either genuine phone service and Internet accesses) decided to _invoice the VoIP calls_ made through their Internet access ! Some years ago, the historical belgian telco (Belgacom) blocked suddenly access to the directory inquiries service in Luxembourg, forcing their customer to call their own "International Directory Service", at high rates. Some other Internet access providers are looking for solutions to reduce VoIP traffic quality, as example by introducing jitter in such communications (1/3 of the international calls are already carried by Skype alone). This is against competition and progress, and is illegal. We should struggle strongly on that. This blocking of third parties e-mail services is also against the free circulation of services, principle part of the EU treaties. What I suggest is to discuss this with legal advisors, check carefully the applicable legislation (legilux.lu), and organise an Internet Society Luxembourg meeting around this to prepare our official reactions. Depending on the conclusions, we might contact other parties, such as ULC (Union Luxembourgeoise des Consommateurs), CNPD (Commission nationale pour la protection des données), ILR (Institut Luxembourgeois de Régulation), ... and write a letter to the ministers in charge of either the telecommunication sector and economy (concurrence aspects). We could even contact some specialised media to make noise around this. I strongly suggest all interested Internet user which wish to act on what the Internet is today and what it should be tomorrow to also seriously envisage joining Internet Society Luxembourg <http://isoc.lu>... What do you think about this proposal ? Le 08.03.2013 09:52, Michel Kohl a écrit : -- Brent Frère, president of Internet Society Luxembourg E-mail: Brent(a)ISOC.lu Phone: +352-20.33.20.44