Silk Road forums

Discussion => Off topic => Topic started by: ananas_xpress on August 10, 2013, 02:09 am

Title: Does DPR spy on our messages NSA style ;)
Post by: ananas_xpress on August 10, 2013, 02:09 am
After somebody brought up the post about how bitcoin vendors charge $0.00 for their listings and  if they pay the fee.

It got me wondering does SR rad our messages to check vendors are not saying to trusted repeat customers, But the one gram listing that's really 2 grams and send the other half direct to my account p2p so I can save a bit on fees and will throw you in a bit more, Wink wink.

Lots of people go the same vendor who they trust and it's bound to happen that working relationships develop in some cases.
It has to happen I'm sure so I'm just wondering what's done about it and are people caught
Title: Re: Does DPR spy on our messages NSA style ;)
Post by: Praetorian on August 10, 2013, 02:31 am
After somebody brought up the post about how bitcoin vendors charge $0.00 for their listings and  if they pay the fee.

It got me wondering does SR rad our messages to check vendors are not saying to trusted repeat customers, But the one gram listing that's really 2 grams and send the other half direct to my account p2p so I can save a bit on fees and will throw you in a bit more, Wink wink.

Lots of people go the same vendor who they trust and it's bound to happen that working relationships develop in some cases.
It has to happen I'm sure so I'm just wondering what's done about it and are people caught

Only when there is an investigation on that vendor.  One time Uniwiz made a big deal about vendor NorCal420HookUp's FE policy, and the subsequent reporting lead to an investigation where they suspended NorCal420HU for going outside of escrow with several of his trusted customers. 

As long as everyone stays encrypted, your question is invalid.  But being that clearly many people do not, I would say yes.  They do read our messages... but only under suspicion.
Title: Re: Does DPR spy on our messages NSA style ;)
Post by: cheeto69 on August 10, 2013, 02:34 am
It's very possible that PMs on SR are read by SR staff. Based on my interactions with them they're very nice and I don't think they would, but you never know. In this game you gotta stay on your toes. That's why you should use PGP for anything secretive! :D

They've also read PMs when there have been accusations of vendor misconduct or when things go to the resolution center. Obviously if somebody PMs a vendor "give me free shit or I'll ruin you", then SR staff would need to know about that.

But tl;dr use PGP yo.
Title: Re: Does DPR spy on our messages NSA style ;)
Post by: ananas_xpress on August 10, 2013, 02:41 am


As long as everyone stays encrypted, your question is invalid.  But being that clearly many people do not, I would say yes.  They do read our messages... but only under suspicion.

I don't think the use or non use of pgp really makes  a difference, Unless people just do P2P bitcoin transfers outside of SR there would still be a "paper trail" of member to member transfers here but I see what you are saying.
I guess it's bound to happen because the burden of proof would indeed be difficult with pgp
Title: Re: Does DPR spy on our messages NSA style ;)
Post by: jackofspades on August 10, 2013, 03:01 am

As long as everyone stays encrypted, your question is invalid.  But being that clearly many people do not, I would say yes.  They do read our messages... but only under suspicion.

So does this mean that it is safer for users to not encrypt non-address/order related information. In case there is a dispute and you'd need to prove to SR staff that each party said what is claimed to be said.
Title: Re: Does DPR spy on our messages NSA style ;)
Post by: TMan99 on August 10, 2013, 03:24 am
How do you know DPR is not the NSA alltogether?

You will never know... Just stay secure.
Title: Re: Does DPR spy on our messages NSA style ;)
Post by: R90 on August 10, 2013, 03:28 am
Good question re encryption - I think PGP must always be safer than not, particularly if the bigger picture is avoiding incriminating yourself. The ability for the admins to read messages is pretty vital in a dispute, usually somebody's word against anothers - stats alone don't always tell the whole truth and must be mega frustrating if the decision wrongly goes against you. The admins need all they can get to decide, not easy.

It would be fascinating to know general stats & trends for the site eg what percentage of buyers / sellers do go out of the system as you describe, how many top vendors there are, how many scammers, how much FE goes on, how many DEA agents are signed up, how much tin foil gets used on the hats (with good reason). Stuff that will always remain a mystery.
Title: Re: Does DPR spy on our messages NSA style ;)
Post by: Praetorian on August 10, 2013, 04:56 am

As long as everyone stays encrypted, your question is invalid.  But being that clearly many people do not, I would say yes.  They do read our messages... but only under suspicion.

So does this mean that it is safer for users to not encrypt non-address/order related information. In case there is a dispute and you'd need to prove to SR staff that each party said what is claimed to be said.

If nothing personal or identifying about you went unencrypted, then even if DPR was the DEA, you would not need to worry about talking about selling drugs on your SR buyer account any more than you would here in the forums.  So, yeah, there's nothing wrong with not encrypting that info in-case you need to dispute something.  But, as far as I know, it really comes down to that Tracking Label, and what the Usps.com portal tells the investigating admin.  So, you shouldn't even have to worry about 'incriminating evidence" being encrypted, and out of the view of SR staff.  They're going to look at all the angels, and make the most intelligent decision they can.  For that reason, I encrypt absolutely everything.

Title: Re: Does DPR spy on our messages NSA style ;)
Post by: CaliforniaCannibas on August 10, 2013, 03:01 pm
Of course the answer is yes......they can read them.....do they?.....only if they need to........There is always customers wanting to do business outside of escrow.....I get asked at least weekly.

My answer is always a firm NO......against SR policy.......SR has been very good to me....why would I ever want to do that?

Now if you use PGP....back and forth......all messages would be encrypted and only your and the other person would be able to read any messages......for any sensitive information....always use PGP........SR is not the enemy.....LE is .....that is why you must use PGP....... :)
Title: Re: Does DPR spy on our messages NSA style ;)
Post by: fittesaft on August 10, 2013, 03:30 pm
It's very possible that PMs on SR are read by SR staff. Based on my interactions with them they're very nice and I don't think they would, but you never know. In this game you gotta stay on your toes. That's why you should use PGP for anything secretive! :D

They've also read PMs when there have been accusations of vendor misconduct or when things go to the resolution center. Obviously if somebody PMs a vendor "give me free shit or I'll ruin you", then SR staff would need to know about that.

But tl;dr use PGP yo.
Thanks, I'll remember to PGP my next threats :))
Yeah, it kinda goes both ways.