Panama: Telecommunications and Internet Privacy

This is interesting:

http://ftasatellite.tv/about-us/why-panama/

Panama’s communications systems and infrastructure are the equivalent to the USA, Canada, and the United Kingdom. As well as Panama now has the best-protected internet legislation in the world.

* A one of a kind e-commerce bill was signed into law in August created the #1 internet privacy in world.

* The first of its kind implemented in Central America and the Caribbean, the law has begun to move Panama’s e-commerce industry into the one to beat for offshore web hosting and for IT connectivity.

* Panama has strict banking and corporate laws designed to protect the privacy of investors. The implication is that Panama now has the best-protected internet eCommerce legislation in the world.

* Panama has the highest level of communications infrastructure for telephone, fax, internet, and cellular communications in all of Central & South America, including the Caribbean.

* Panama has the best access to multiple high-bandwidth continental fiber optic networks in telecommunications infrastructure. The extremely low risk of natural disasters (hurricanes etc.), gives the Panama telecom sector security and reliability of service as well as a competitive advantage over other offshore jurisdictions.

* Panama is extremely easy to access from almost anywhere, due to its central location in the middle of the Americas. Its proximity to large cities in the US and Europe makes it relatively cost effective to bring in specialist know-how for installation and maintenance.

* Panama’s long history as an international banking and services jurisdiction, has resulted in the availability of technical know-how in internet technology and information technology as well as sufficient human resources to install and maintain e-commerce operations. The MAYA-1 and ARCOS-1 ring systems link the continental Americas and the Caribbean Basin, which was completed in December of 2000.

* All the preceding advantages, incentives and infrastructure place Panama as an ideal location for: Internet Service Providers, E-Commerce Providers, Applications Outsourcing ASP, Broadband Content Providers, New Media Content Providers, Offshore Hosting of Business Web Sites, Secure (encrypted) E-Mail repositories as well as critical (encrypted) Data Storage Facilities.

* Submarine network cable systems, ARCOS-1 and Global Crossing.

 

Re: Panama:Telecommunications and Internet Privacy

So they sell Satellite TV receiver product support;

'FTA Satellite provides efficient services so that our members can spend less time figuring out how to load FTA files into their FTA receivers, and they can spend more time watching their favorite television broadcasts.' link

And this is part of their pitch;

Besides looking like a standard marketing-driven page, most text looks like a simple rip from this webpage;

'The one of a kind e-commerce bill was signed into law in August 2001 by Panama's President Mireya Moscoso has created internet privacy in Panama.
Believed to be the first of its kind to be implemented in Central America and the Caribbean, the law has, as was expected, begun to move Panama's e-commerce industry into the one to beat for offshore web hosting and for IT connectivity.' link

So the bill is not unique or #1 in the world but new for it's region.

If I was actually a consumer buying their product; Satellite TV receivers products/support, I couldn't care less about investor privacy protection.
What has that to do with their product? Ineffective marketing afaic.

 

Re: Panama:Telecommunications and Internet Privacy

Hey, who cares about FTA Satellite? What's interesting is the summary re Panama, which seems accurate, based on what I've seen developing over the past decade or two. Cryptomonicon redoux

 

Re: Panama:Telecommunications and Internet Privacy

'* Panama is extremely easy to access from almost anywhere, due to its central location in the middle of the Americas.
Its proximity to large cities in the US and Europe makes it relatively cost effective to bring in specialist know-how for installation and maintenance.'

I guess the proximity of Panama to large cities in Europe, is actually an advantage.
Like it's proximity to Bejing, Adelaide and about every other city in the world.

Mind you, re. Crypto, the bunker has moved. From the Phillipines to Switzerland. link.
Vaults, gold, data... Sound familiar?

 

Re: Panama:Telecommunications and Internet Privacy

The Swiss aren't so tough, any more. They folded to the US IRS, over the past couple years, didn't they? IMHO, they're too compromised as part of the EU.

 

Re: Panama:Telecommunications and Internet Privacy

Panama has gotten special attention though;
'The IRS is intensifying its hunt for secret offshore banking, opening offices in Beijing, Sydney and Panama City...' link

 

Re: Panama:Telecommunications and Internet Privacy

Well, that was predictable, wasn't it?

Edit: Upon reflection, that link's over a year old. Based on my reading of the piece, they're focusing on more-mainstream tax havens, rather than the pseudonymous e-currencies favoured by serious privacy freaks. And perhaps that's wishful thinking.

 

Re: Panama:Telecommunications and Internet Privacy

Yeah the real meat is the fact Panama "appear" serious about privacy unlike most other places these days So the more others clamp down on freedom etc the more Panama should gain

ASFAIK isn't Panama where Zerobank is officially registered

 

Re: Panama:Telecommunications and Internet Privacy

Yes, forget them - they've caved - http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20101022/harper-switzerland-101022/

 

Re: Panama:Telecommunications and Internet Privacy

Yes that it why I posted it. It makes sense the Xerobank and Cryptohippie would choose Panama. And just googling encrypted email panama brings up all kinds of stuff.

 

Re: Panama:Telecommunications and Internet Privacy

Best in the world? I thought that belonged to the principality of Sealand.

 

Re: Panama:Telecommunications and Internet Privacy

Does Xerobank still use OpenVPN and claims it as intellectual property?
The only property could be their installer which required (still requires?) you to enter your Windows account password.

A program to enhance privacy/anonimity that requires you to enter your Windows account username and password to complete the installation...
(Not to mention linking to thesis writing companies in their quickstart guide).
Imao; meh!

 

The thing with off shore is that is protects the "Investors" rather than the users. So really, if any company was based there and compromised your security in any way, than they would be just fine, whereas the user would sorta be **** out of luck

Also, where's the incentive to be there and do business if they have terrible infrastructure. Its fine while you're there, but doing business with any other country in the world will be slow slow slow slow and unreliable.

hmmmmmm

 

Things are looking bad re Panama ...

http://successquest.info/index.php/topic,727.0.html

 

"The competent authorities of the Parties shall provide assistance through exchange of information that might be relevant to the administration and enforcement of domestic legislation of the Parties concerning taxes covered by this Agreement, including information that may be relevant for identification, assessment, enforcement or collection of taxes with respect to persons subject to them, or for investigation or prosecution of criminal tax matters."

Um, I started to post all of the relevant privacy compromising parts of the agreement and realized that just about all of it is. "information that may be relevant for identification" sticks out as well. Crazy Crazy crazy.
Thanks for posting, hierophant

 

Fail