Comment by y4mi
4 years ago
Because it's a swedish company? The location of the servers is kinda irrelevant in that regard. They'd have to provide government access if there is a lawsuit that demands it. If there isn't one than your critique is entirely pointless
> Because it's a swedish company?
I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. If online privacy is as important to them as they say, they could have easily registered their company (or a subsidiary) in a different EU member state.
> They'd have to provide government access if there is a lawsuit that demands it.
IANAL but I am not entirely sure this is true in the EU. Either way, my question was "Why are the servers located in Sweden?" Whether or not this due to the company owning the servers being in Sweden is irrelevant.
I think you’re overthinking this. The people who run the company are based in Sweden. So they registered the company in Sweden, because that’s where they are. Then they hosted the servers in Sweden, because that’s where they are and where the company is registered.
Registering the company somewhere else wouldn’t do them any good when they’re living in Sweden, because the legal system isn’t fooled by sleight of hand like that. Likewise, hosting the servers elsewhere from where they’re based. Both would expand the number of entities with the ability to compel them to disclose data, because as long as the company owners live in Sweden, Sweden has that ability.
Unless you’re asking why they didn’t move to another country to start their company, which is surely a larger ask than the “easily” you suggest.
You are allowed to start companies in other countries, and thereby avoid local laws, without moving i.e. changing you country of residence.
If you believe any different, please say why so. Just "wouldn’t do them any good" is pretty meaningless.
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> Registering the company somewhere else wouldn’t do them any good when they’re living in Sweden, because the legal system isn’t fooled by sleight of hand like that
This isn’t true at all, at least as long as we assume that you’re dealing with the courts and not some secret police.
Really? How easy is it to create a company in another EU country.
In the US, it is mostly painless to create a company in another state. Fill out some forms online and pay a few hundred. If you don’t have a presence there, you have to pay for a registered agent in the state. That’s about $100/yr. You may also need a mailing address, but you can get a post office box that will accept and scan your mail for another hundred bucks a year. Star and local taxes.
What about the EU?
To my knowledge here in Germany registering a company is pretty much the same whether you're from Germany or from a different EU country. You don't need to live in Germany or anything.
Of course you still need to know your way around local taxes, legal obligations (of the shareholder, of the company) etc. etc. but that's the case anywhere in the world.
In the EU you will find very different laws and tax systems depending on the country. Quite large differences in regards to culture as well.
One example: If you're a cross-border worker you'll likely have to file multiple tax decelerations (one for each country), which can be quite complicated if you don't speak the local language (and even if you do).
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