this post was submitted on 24 Apr 2025
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I won't use a phone company that listens to my calls and criticizes me for who I speak with. I won't use an internet provider that monitors what I download or shares that info with third parties. The only other way to catch someone downloading, is if an agent of the copyright holder is uploading the torrent file.
If you hire private security to give me free beer outside of your store, you can't accuse me of shoplifting because I accepted the free beer.
So you're saying you have a choice in ISPs? Sounds pretty cool.
My area has around 3 or 4 competing ISPs. (Canada)
I think they can also catch you seeding it.
Assuming no VPN is being used, to get your IP while you are seeding, they would need to be connected and downloading. When downloading a torrent you are also sharing the parts you have already downloaded with other torrent users. The agent of the copyright holder has to give the copyrighted material away for free in order to see the IP address of the seeders. By giving it away for free while in the employ of the copyright holder, they are authorizing the sharing of the material.
Is this true? You actually have to seed in order to download?
Download something and look at the columns in the torrent client. You will see download and upload speeds. While you are downloading, you are also sharing the same file with others who are downloading it.
hm, if you set your seed ratio to 0, maybe not though
Never tried that. I will look for that setting and see what it does next time I need to download something.
I've never tried it either. It would be kind of an asshole thing to do. Torrenting only works because everyone contributes their fair share.
All this with a VPN?
No, those people weren't using it.
I'm not aware of any way they can catch you with a VPN.
420,696,969% tariffs on VPNs who let you connect outside the US.