Rediff should be commended for refusing to kowtow the governemnt line. However, things look very pessimistic for rediff. Here are my reasons why: 1. If people realize that the GOI can easily peep into their mail accounts, they would prefer to create mail accounts outside India. (And I would like to see our local police trying to extract passwords from Yahoo by brandishing archaic Telegraph laws left over by the British in India. Of course, the Government of India can route the complaint through China.)The upside is that the safest mail account will be a mail server in Pakistan! Being a long term fan of rediff, barring the forcible viewing of ads, I am a little distressed at this prospect.
2. The Tehelka Effect - We have seen how effectively an Indian Government can destroy a company. Remember Tehelka? I dont think it will be too difficult for the bright guys who run this joint to find some unexplained funds and slap money laundering charges. Or some violation or the other. Rediff can protest, but not overtly. They will have to give in. And this wont do their reputation any good.
3. The Visible, Goverment hand - Finally, some aging dinosaur will come up with a new rule. Al
