Item — HN Reader

In the days of the internet "operate in a country" == "exist". Eg: [1] UK has tried to enforce its laws even onto organizations who literally exist in USA only. Their argument: you exist, internet exists, so you are still subject to us. So tell me, how can one exist today and not "operate" in every country where internet exists. And once you see that there is no way, how do you propose your logic for regulation to work, other than by everyone being subject to everyone's rules?

[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c624330lg1ko

2 comments

America doesn’t just fine businesses doing businesses in American and breaking the law. It tries to extradite people who have never been to America to torture them

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_McKinnon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Dotcom

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khalid_El-Masri

I couldn't find anything about VPNs in the link you shared.

If that is the case, I disagree with it. But if you serve the UK market, you gotta follow UK law. That doesn't seem unreasonable, does it?

I see you removed the VPN reference in your edit and it made your argument quite a bit weaker imo.

Just because 4Chan is in the US, doesn't mean they don't send their data to the UK.

As soon as they do, they are subject to UK law. Quite simple. If they don't want to be, they can stop sending their data there. See also the magic mushroom parallel from earlier.

> So tell me, how can one exist today and not "operate" in every country where internet exists

You could IP block by geo for example? Seems pretty straightforward.

So I have to actively work and expend energy to not be subject to some random whim? curious view.

I've never worried about North Korean law because I've never been to North Korea, and I don't do business with North Korea

I do work about following Thai law because I've been to Thailand, and hope to go again

I do work about following US law because the US has a history of pursuing US law breakers - people who have never even been to the US - beyond its borders

It's not "some random whim", it is the law. And yes, one has to work and expend energy to follow the law frequently. I did my taxes not too long ago. Also got my drivers license before getting on the road.

Or in another, more close parallel: You do in fact have to put a fence around your construction site so you're not liable if somebody walks there and hurts themselves.