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kelnoslast Thursday at 3:53 PM0 repliesview on HN

> Now, do you want all of your web accounts be linked to your government ID?

No, but I don't think that's actually necessary. My cloud storage account with Google could be linked to my government ID, and... that might be ok? This sort of plan wouldn't require, e.g., my HN account to be linked to my ID.

Yes, that would mean that some people (e.g. activists under repressive regimes) shouldn't be storing stuff that could get them in trouble in Google Docs or iCloud Photos, but... they probably shouldn't be doing that now anyway.

But this would still require governments passing laws to prevent arbitrary account closures. Linking an account with an ID doesn't automatically make Apple/Google behave. The legally-mandated process would need to be something like: automated system detects fraud, they call the police, police investigate, and either a) they see nothing and drop it, and Google/Apple are required to drop it, or b) they investigate, prosecutors bring charges, and the outcome of the court proceedings is binding on Google/Apple (conviction = account terminated, exoneration = no retaliation allowed).