Re: [Asrg] A New Plan for No Spam / DNSBLS

[Steven F Siirila <sfs@tc.umn.edu>]

On Sat, Apr 26, 2003 at 06:19:00PM -0700, Hallam-Baker, Phillip wrote:
>  
> > DNSBLs can not force anyone to do anything and any authority given to
> > them is by consensual users of the DNSBL.
> 
> The ISP can consent, but what about the users of the ISP? In most
> cases the users have no knowledge of the fact that a blacklist is
> even in use.

That depends on the ISP.  We provide our users with the ability to control
how or if their mail is blocked/filtered.

> > Their widespread use indicates that many receivers of
> > email have confidence in at least some DNSBLs.  
> 
> Very few end users know that blacklists are in use.

Again, that depends on the ISP.  DNSbls can be a very effective tool,
especially when users are aware of their availability and have control
over their use.

> > Thirdly, in the "BEST PRACTICES" section, you talk about creating some
> > sort of "common agreement on best practices for blacklists setting out
> > criteria for issues such as notice to the listed parties, appeals
> > processes and the acceptability of `collateral damage'."  This is both
> > unnecessary and undesirable.
> > 
> > It is unnecessarey because DNSBLs can not force anyone to do anything,
> > their only authority comes from others who freely choose to use them.
> 
> Again, this is a very sysop centric view of the world. I do not believe
> that system or network operators are the ultimate arbiters of the 
> Internet.

ISPs can and should decide how best to run their own mail servers with
the customer's best interest in mind.  If that includes use of DNSbls,
then so be it.

> The 'right' that appears to be being defended here is the right of
> sysops to make decisions on behalf of their users with no 
> accountability.

Nobody said anything about "no accountability."  I sense here nothing more
than a strong hatred of DNSbls, likely due to a bad experience with them.
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