Libraries and Kindle?

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by shalym

I'm also curious as to why it isn't a privacy issue for the loans to be fulfilled by Kobo's servers, but it is a privacy issue for the loans to be fulfilled by Amazon's servers? Is Kobo (and Rakuten, who owns Kobo) *really* such a paragon of virtue that everyone explicitly trusts them with all of their data?

You might want to compare Canadian and American privacy laws for one reason. One of the reasons that Kobo does not offer identifiable information on sideloaded books or a book sideload service is the requirements on allowing a user to access their information and the restrictions on allowing anyone else to access that information. Add in that you do have the option of downloading the book from the library's Overdrive connection if the paranoia so moves you. Thankfully, there is no Canadian version of the unPatriot Act.

Originally Posted by shalym

I also wasn't aware that Libraries were out to *make money*. At least in the US, they a public service. They do try not to lose money, and they have to account for the money that they get, but they are not a for profit company...at least not in the US. Maybe that's different in other countries.

Libraries, at least in this area, are not out to make money but they are out to get the maximum value for their money. In this area as well, a library will have a privacy officer though in smaller libraries this will be one of the hats worn by an overworked staff member.

You might also want to note that many Canadian non-profits are required to ensure that all data is stored in Canada to keep it safe from American fishing expeditions and many for profit organizations follow the same rules.