Hacker News Reader

> Either way, Proton didn't help the FBI.

> Proton Mail complied with a legal demand they had no choice but to comply with

If I'm not mistaken, proton didn't give anything to the FBI, they provided what was required by law to the Swiss government who then gave it to the FBI. It's a small distinction but it matters.

Not small, essential

Just like various .govs don't spy on ther own people, they get their friends to do it for them.

You seem to think those two quotes make a point, but for the life of me I’m not seeing it?

Are you trying to say that any compliance is by definition help? Like if the FBI subpoenas my public key and I comply, that’s helping them?

> Like if the FBI subpoenas my public key and I comply, that’s helping them?

If you're helping the FBI to do their job (conducting federal investigations), then yes, you are helping the FBI. Unless your definition of "to help" includes the absence of any possibly coercive circumstance.

An, so just semantics about “to help” and whether it involves volition.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com