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> so it's only legal by default.

The idea that bureaucrats can make enough laws that we know exactly what action ever taken in the future is "illegal or not" is pure Orwellian.

Most things in life are legal by default. This is no different.

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Actually I read somewhere that it differs by country. I think the UK is legal by default unless the law specifically makes it illegal. While in Germany its illegal by default unless it is specifically made legal. (I am no expert, it was probably a comment I read on here).

It's part of an old joke (crops up in Yes Minister, may go back further): in Germany, everything is prohibited except that which is allowed; in the UK, everything is allowed except that which is prohibited; in Russia, everything is prohibited including that which is allowed, while in Italy everything is allowed especially that which is prohibited.

Wikipidia says it is partially true.

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

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