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For some practical, if extreme, examples: if a customer were to host a phishing site, or a site hosting CP, it would be grossly irresponsible (and likely even illegal) for the hosting provider to retain the customer's data after account suspension and allow them to download it.


When this happens they should contact law enforcement, not play god.


> they should contact law enforcement

And do what in the mean time? The legal system acts slowly. In the age of social media outrage, would you allow the headline "Digital Ocean knew they were serving criminals, and they didn't stop them" if you were CEO?

It's easy to be outraged when these systems and procedures are used against the innocent. That does not mean we should stop using rational thought. If someone is using DO to cause harm, then DO should (be allowed to) stop the harmful actions.


> Your account has been temporarily locked pending the result of an ongoing investigation.

You lock down the image, and let law enforcement do their thing. If law enforcement clear them, you then give the customer access to their data, perhaps for a short time before you cut them off as they seem to be a risky customer to have.

You don't unilaterally make the decision, you offload your responsibility onto the legal process.


I agree that this was probably the most reasonable decision for them to make.

The fact that there are hundreds of comments on HN condemning them for this action proves my point.


>would you allow the headline "Digital Ocean knew they were serving criminals, and they didn't stop them" if you were CEO?

Seems to work just fine for AWS, Google and Cloudflare. In fact, counter to your argument, Cloudflare got in massive shit when they did decide to play God.




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