Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks is no doubt an exceptional man with an even more exceptional IQ.
However, what has kept the editor and activist’s site, WikiLeaks online all these years, from 2006 to date, isn’t his brilliance – at least not directly.
It is also not luck nor chance; as a matter of fact, Julian could be rightfully said to be in dearth of both.
Rather, what has ensured that the Australian keeps his files online and continues sharing classified information with the world is his careful choice of where he hosts his project at any given time or the number of countries, simultaneously, that host his data at any given time.
Spanning Sweden, Russia, Norway, The Netherlands, and a host of other countries, the editor has proved time and again that he truly understands international law, the DMCA, and importantly, their limits where offshore hosting is concerned.
If we’re asked to pick up only a single reason why WikiLeaks has managed to remain online despite seriously stepping on the toes of super-powerful foes, we’ll offer a single conclusion: the solid privacy laws in the jurisdictions where the website has been hosted over time.
And, if we’re to add a second: the DMCA ignored hosting companies actually used.
Everything else isn’t very important or adequately explains the longevity of WikiLeaks online.
However, the fact that these countries kept changing over the years tells us all an important story: a reliable bulletproof offshore hosting company today does not necessarily mean that the company will continue in a like manner, tomorrow.
Service change hands and laws undergo complete metamorphosis. This is why we have to take a close and interested look at these countries and their privacy laws, from time to time.
Why The Country An Offshore Hosting Company Is Located In Matters
Many countries that have a culture of looking the other way to issues of copyright infringements and DMCA claims actually have instances where these infringements are codified into their statute books.
What happens, most of the time, is simply a lack of will (political willpower, majorly) to act on these ‘violations’.
However, lacking the will to act on ‘violations’, present in one’s own legal system does not equal to not having solid laws in place that completely support ignoring such claims when they come knocking.
This is why, for such countries and the hosting companies within their borders, when a serious issue bothering on copyright or the DMCA comes calling, they have no option than to hand you in, give your details or take your site down. Or all three!
A classical example in this respect is Sweden.
This is why, when you’re considering bulletproof hosting, it is smart to first of all look at the country the hosting company you’re interested in originates from. Then and only then, will you come to a smart conclusion and reach one that serves your privacy needs in a brilliant manner.
2 DMCA Ignored Countries Worth Noting When Considering Offshore Hosting
Right below, ranked in the order we prefer, are the 2 best DMCA ignored countries you should be thinking of committing to, so far as bulletproof hosting is concerned.
To make matters simple and straightforward for you, we’ll be discussing the privacy laws of both countries and what the DMCA reality is on ground in such countries or territories.
Importantly, we’ll also be sharing offshore hosting options that are available in these locations.
Let’s engage the throttle!
1. Malaysia
In Malaysia, data protection and digital privacy is covered by legislation: The Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) of 2010.
This Act focuses on safeguarding personal data and gives individuals whose data is the subject of any transaction certain rights, especially how such data is used, stored or collected in the first place.
Because of the powers persons whose data is the subject of any interaction in Malaysia are given in respect of such data, Malaysia easily tops the list of countries where you can conveniently purchase bulletproof hosting and be certain that the DMCA will be ignored – if a request for your data or personal information comes forth.
To put matters into perspective, by the provisions of the PDPA, personal details aren’t required when hosting or buying hosting services in Malaysia.
This, by extension, gives the hosting companies leverage to offer an array of payment options, including (but not limited to) cryptocurrency. And also fail to collect your details – details that they won’t have to hand over when a request on same is ever made 😃
The net result is simple and devilishly effective: the local enabling law, the PDPA creates a ‘shield’ users who are interested in hosting with companies in the country can protect themselves – the anonymity shield.
By ‘divorcing’ you from your hosting account or your identity (online or off), the first step in protecting your privacy is ensured.
Further, Malaysia isn’t into any treaty with the US regarding copyright, the DMCA or its infringement. While local notices to this effect, originating from Malaysia itself (and shown to have complied with local extant laws) may be taken up and treated, foreign notices are generally, as a rule, ignored.
Accordingly thus, the very best DMCA ignored hosting we can recommend, based of in Malaysia is Shinjiru Hosting.
2. The Netherlands
The Netherlands is home to many things the rest of the world dreads or is slow to adapt. From gay rights, prostitution and the use of drugs, the country tops the list of countries where your content is safest, so far as privacy and DMCA takedowns are concerned.
In the country, copyright is primarily governed by The European Copyright Directive (EUCD) – which covers all things related to intellectual property, being it online or off.
The interesting part of this regulation, however, is that it confers immunity to Internet Service Providers and hosting companies, generally.
An internet hosting company or service provider is thus under no obligation under the law to provide information relating to a client or to deny service to a client based on a legal infraction – perceived or actual.
With this robust provision of the law in place, service providers in The Netherlands, especially web hosting companies are more likely to honor their privacy obligations and promises – which is exactly what they do.
An excellent example of such a hosting company, based in The Netherlands is Vice Temple Hosting – a company that amongst many other offshore-worthy services, is also very interested in the business of hosting and managing adult content all over the world too.
MORE: The Best Adult Web Hosting For Porn
If You Don’t Want Any Of The Options Above…
The issue of privacy and of recent, DMCA ignored hosting options is one that commands attention due to its sensitive nature. However, what happens if you’d rather not host your website with an offshore company in the above-mentioned countries?
Nothing.
Just simply choose the option that you’re great with and sign up.
For reference, Luxembourg, Russia and Bulgaria are all options worth considering. However, we cannot independently verify how these companies would react, subject to the provisions of their laws, when there is an actual call for them to honor your privacy and protect your security.
Accordingly thus, we recommend considering hosting companies domiciled in Russia, Bulgaria and the other countries as possible options if you simply need a hosting solution that is offshore based and want such an option for peace of mind as relates to natural disasters and general non-complex needs.
However, if security and the DMCA is primarily your concern, our top-recommended options remain Malaysia and The Netherlands – and in these two countries, we highly recommend Shinjiru Hosting and Vice Temple Hosting respectively.
Why This Roundup Is Very Important
Information, in general, is ever-changing and in a perpetual state of fluidity. What you knew to be right only last year may be completely false today or a few months after.
For privacy laws, all that it takes for them to change both their form and character is for the issuing authority to change them and that’s it!
Thus, a perfectly legal activity, in a jurisdiction, can turn an illegal one in a week or less and as you well know, ignorance of the law is no excuse – ignorantia juris non excusat.
It is because of the ever-changing nature of privacy laws and what these laws are interpreted to mean by the issuing judiciary when a matter comes up that necessitates such a frequent compilation, addition and dropping of options.
For instance, we hitherto held Sweden in very high regard, especially as regards personal privacy and ignorance of copyright laws. However, the case of the creator of ThePirateBay, Gottfrid Svartholm, made us reconsider the position of the country on our lists and earned its final removal.
This makes such a list as this more important than ever today: many of the so called offshore hosting companies, located in countries without a solid set of law guarding personal liberties and privacies will offer the illusion of protection from the DMCA, arrest and prosecution.
However, when the heat comes on, these hosting companies, backed up by their countries of origin or servers will turn you in, turn your information in or at the very least, take your cherished work offline.
Essentially thus, these countries and their hosting companies merely turn a blind eye when things are all rosy and no reports have started flying.
Immediately, the reports start coming in, you are on your own – and the whole mirage or illusion of security and privacy falls.
Flat.