FITUG e.V.

Förderverein Informationstechnik und Gesellschaft

Zero-Knowledge Announcement

http://www.freedom.net/prem.html


Zero-Knowledge Announcement

October 4, 2001 IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR USERS OF FREEDOM PREMIUM SERVICES

Dear Freedom Premium Services Customer,

Zero-Knowledge is introducing Freedom Privacy & Security Tools 3.0, the next generation of its online security software for consumers. This new software includes a personal firewall, form filler/password manager, ad manager, cookie manager and keyword alert. As a result, we have decided to focus our main development efforts on this product as well as other software solutions providing online security.

As such, I regret to inform you that Freedom Premium Services - Anonymous Web Browsing and Private Encrypted Email - will be discontinued as of October 22nd, 2001. Please refer to the detailed Freedom Network shutdown timetable below.

This decision was not taken lightly. It reflects the ongoing high cost and limited returns of operating the Freedom Network - the engine that drives the encryption and anonymity process. This is especially true since our customers and partners increasingly choose to purchase ready-to-use solutions that provide security and safety online - such as personal firewall, password manager and keyword alert - rather than nym-based services.

For the past two years we have worked very hard to develop and maintain a sustainable private network and we thank you for all your support of our endeavor.. We share your disappointment and we apologize for the impact this decision will have on your online activities.

We deeply regret that we are unable to maintain the Freedom Network and we wish to thank you for your loyalty and for your understanding of this difficult decision we had to make.

Please see below the timetable for shutting down the Freedom Network and the Refund Policy for Premium Services customers.

Sincerely,

Hamnett Hill EVP, COO

Freedom Network Shutdown Timetable Refund Policy - Freedom Premium Service

FREEDOM NETWORK SHUTDOWN TIMETABLE

October 11th, 2001 Partial Freedom Network shutdown: the majority of the Freedom servers will be taken offline.

Freedom nym mailboxes will not accept any more incoming mail as of October 11th, 2001 You will still be able to retrieve mail sent to your nym mailboxes prior to October 11th, but only until October 22nd, 2001. However you will still be able to send mail until October 22nd, 2001. And you will still be able to browse anonymously until October 22nd, 2001.

WARNING: During the network shutdown, there is a risk that the identity of your nym(s) may be compromised due to the small number of Freedom servers available on the network. For detailed information on the Freedom Privacy Services threat model please click here.

October 22nd, 2001 Complete Freedom Network shutdown: all the Freedom servers will be taken offline.

You will no longer be able to browse anonymously or, send and receive nym mail.

Recommendations

You may want to contact your friends, family and colleagues (or anyone that knows your nym names) and let them know that your email address will no longer accept mail as of October 11th, 2001. We recommend that you contact them as soon as possible, starting today, so that you can receive their responses before the incoming mail functionality is shut down. Please note that there will be no option of forwarding (redirecting) of any mail sent to your nyms. All mail sent to your nym(s) after October 11th, 2001, will bounce and be returned to the sender. Please note that due to a diminished number of servers on the Freedom network, it may at times be difficult to download your nym mail. Should this be the case, please repeat your attempt multiple times and at off-peak hours. For further information please click here.

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