Thanks, @OpenVPN. We're aware, but still working on getting a statement from senior management. We'll keep you updated!
Thanks for the quick response. Unlike most users, I'm not in full-blown panic mode because I trust PIA and I know that you guys have always handled situations in a professional and timely manner.
I really don't think we have anything to worry about. PIA has a long history of protecting customer privacy at all cost and I'm certain they'll take the appropriate steps to rectify this situation as they have with all others.
I have no reason NOT to believe the Chairman has our best interests at heart. There is honesty in his statement.
Honesty? Hard to say. But common sense? That's what I find to be remarkably lacking in this decision. And Mr. Lee's explanation/justification doesn't clear things up in the least. It only begs more questions. His comparisons of his decision to hire Mark Karpeles as PIA's CTO to the "second chances" given to Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Michael Jordan are ludicrous. None of his "second chance" examples were facing criminal fraud charges. I'm all for giving a guy a second chance, but not until after he's cleared his name.
Whether or not Mark Karpeles is actually guilty of intent to defraud it's likely he'll be the one to take the fall for having been at the center of the debacle that undermined confidence in bitcoin and caused the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars of his clients' money. Under Japanese jurisprudence establishing intent isn't nearly as important as it is under US and European jurisprudence. In Japan intent doesn't need to be proven, only that a constructive fraud took place.
PIA is facing the very real potential of having their CTO incarcerated for many years in, what amounts to, one of the most draconian prison systems in the world. Japan's prosecutors don't bring criminal charges unless they're extremely confident of a conviction. If you're indicted in Japan you face a 99% statistical probability of conviction. You quite literally are guilty in the eyes of the court unless you prove yourself innocent. As such Mark Karpeles' prospects are bleak.
If he goes down in a ball of flames there will be significant blowback on PIA for having appointed him as their CTO. Even now PIA is already receiving considerable blowback.
I trust PIA, but hiring Mark was honestly one of the stupidest things they could’ve done. I can’t believe a company with this kind of reputation would hire a criminal. Says a lot about Lee and LTM’s judgement as a whole. I hope this is reversed before Mark is convicted and they face considerable blowback, more so than they are facing now. This WILL be big when it happens, and PIA will be plastered along with his name. PIA is at risk, and I hope the staff there is panicking because you’re losing your most valuable asset: built trust and reputation. We’re giving you our money, we feel betrayed.
I can’t believe a company with this kind of reputation would hire a criminal.
We don't know that... yet. Irregardless of who is responsible for the Mt. Gox fraud (evidence is mounting that it had to have been a company insider) Mark Karpeles was at the helm when it happened. He was also the head of software programming and security and had made numerous claims about how secure their systems were. Yet half-billion dollars in customer bitcoins vanished nonetheless. Either Karpeles is one of the biggest hucksters in history or one of the biggest tech bunglers.
And this is the CTO PIA hires? It boggles the mind! It's like being Captain of the Exxon Valdez, running it aground and creating one of the biggest environmental disasters in history, and then being handed the command of an even bigger petroleum tanker ship. My confidence in PIA was seriously waning as it was. This is the nail in the coffin.
Funny, I was thinking about writing a similar comment about the Captain of the Exxon Valdez! Sure, he'll be given a "second chance" (after he's out of jail), but do you think it will be to handle another large oil tanker? More like a tugboat captain if he's lucky.
I would have more respect for Andrew's decision if the CRIMINAL case had already been completed and he was found (at least) non-complicit. As the investigation is on-going, it could be that he is CONVICTED - what would Andrew and LTM be saying then? "Ooops"? IMHO, this guy should be considered persona-non-grata until he is convicted or vindicated. It's not like this was a minor "boo boo" - oops, I made a mistake.
I have faith in the tech crew here on social media, and (somewhat) in Andrew himself, but NONE in this guy. I think it's going to be a stain on PIA.
It's not a case where I would blame the CEO directly - he's in charge of hiring people who *should* be handling the issues - it's not like he's intimately or technically familiar with them. I can see the personal connection, in wanting to give his "friend" a second chance - and maybe Karpeles has learned from his mistakes - but that is an unknown, and to me, a serious risk to the company as a whole.
This is my first time posting on the forum, ive been a customer for 3yrs now and i was happy with the service, however due to this i have now canceled my subscription, i wish PIA all the best going forward and hope they resolve this issue as soon as possible.
Let me make this clear, this is not a question of service rather a question of trust of which i found myself questioning the premise of weather or not i could now trust the judgment of this company knowing that the one thing that kept me coming back to PIA was their above reproach accountability when it comes to privacy, let me say at the very least this is bad judgment on PIA's part and at worst a breach of customer trust of which this is the company's sole asset and commodity.
One does not know except what one reads. And most of that is usually one sided.
Willful ignorance is the worst kind of ignorance.
If you're talking about the blogs and Reddit threads posted by Mt. Gox customers who've lost hundreds of millions of dollars then, yes, some of that is "one sided." If you were one of those victims I'm confident we wouldn't be hearing you being so dismissive.
While I take their speculations with a grain of salt as to who's responsible for the heist, in my book they're more than entitled to be "one sided." In spite of their being defrauded, so far they've been remarkably restrained. I'm frankly surprised I haven't yet seen any of them calling for Mark Karpeles' head on a pike.
As to the vast majority of "what one reads" about this scandal -- actual news media sources -- I've read a great deal of it and I have yet to read anything that's "one sided." All that's been reported have been the facts, and the facts paint a very negative picture leading any thinking person to the conclusion that Mark Karpeles is not someone any company on the planet should hire in any capacity, let alone their CTO, at least until such time as his name has been cleared.
I have no reason NOT to believe the Chairman has our best interests at heart. There is honesty in his statement.
Honesty? Hard to say. But common sense? That's what I find to be remarkably lacking in this decision. And Mr. Lee's explanation/justification doesn't clear things up in the least. It only begs more questions. His comparisons of his decision to hire Mark Karpeles as PIA's CTO to the "second chances" given to Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Michael Jordan are ludicrous. None of his "second chance" examples were facing criminal fraud charges. I'm all for giving a guy a second chance, but not until after he's cleared his name.
....
I have read this and the reddit thread and the Founder statement. I have to agree with the assessment of tomeworm. I don't think it was a good or wise idea to hire someone who is under criminal investigation. However for the time being I am remaining with PIA and will wait and see what happens.
@PIAColleen, I created this thread to alert PIA of a potential issue which has been dealt with. Given the fact that you have addressed the main point of this thread, I ask that you close the discussion.
This has not been dealt with, it’s just getting started. More PIA customers are being made aware of the situation and are rightfully upset. We can’t just close this thread and pretend it never happened. We need communication between PIA and their customers on the matter, not just some blog post with no substance, that only makes everything worse. It’s still an issue PIA needs to address.
I agree there should continue to be discussion. It doesn't matter if it's in this topic or another. If they close this one then @donv45 just start another one with a more descriptive subject.
Given the fact that you have addressed the main point of this thread, I ask that you close the discussion.
But why? Isn't it to put a stop to further discussion of this scandal by PIA customers? Would that be the prudent thing of PIA to do, especially in light of Jayson Q's commitment to transparency on Reddit?
We openly announced that Mark was hired as the global CTO instead of hiding the information. This demonstrates our commitment to transparency and our belief that trust is paramount, especially to our customers.
So go right ahead and close this thread to demonstrate your "transparency." That would be a brilliant move.
Given the fact that you have addressed the main point of this thread, I ask that you close the discussion.
But why? Isn't it to put a stop to further discussion of this scandal by PIA customers? Would that be the prudent thing of PIA to do, especially in light of Jayson Q's commitment to transparency on Reddit?
We openly announced that Mark was hired as the global CTO instead of hiding the information. This demonstrates our commitment to transparency and our belief that trust is paramount, especially to our customers.
So go right ahead and close this thread to demonstrate your "transparency." That would be a brilliant move.
Transparency by definition means "free from pretence or deceit". This has been demonstrated by releasing the information instead of hiding Mark's position.
Transparency does not entitle anyone to a debate, however it is something we are willing to do as long as it is respectful. I will close the thread if it becomes chaotic, abusive or other negative behaviour.
Due to the senior nature of the discussion, I will be personally answering appropriate questions (and as such, the Support agents will not be as they are concentrating on Support issues).
I hope this makes my stance and my willingness to engage clear on the proviso that comments and feedback are constructive.
Not to fan flames on the fire but i was a long standing customer who has now canceled my subscription with great regret because of this issue.
I also agree this issue needs to be left open as there a more long standing customers who are also canceling their subscriptions i don't think this issue is going to just go away i hope you can take onboard what some of your customers are saying before you start to loose more.
I'm sorry that you feel that you need to leave in order to make your opinion heard. I had always hoped that we were open to constructive discussion but I can understand your feelings regarding the situation.
If you decide to return, please let me know and I will only be too happy to welcome you back. All I can promise on behalf of myself and my team is that we will continue to support, assist and guide you all, customer or not, as best as we can.
Like I said in the Reddit thread, Mark's position oversee global technology and not Private Internet Access as that is the remit of the Technical Lead. We work tirelessly to ensure your privacy and security, that has not and will not change. We will also continue to release our code under our Open Source policy and commitment to demonstrate transparency and desire for betterment for all. This will also demonstrate that we have nothing to hide, we do not log and we are wholly committed to you as a person, not just as a customer.
I wish you well and our door is always open should you wish to return or just would like some advice.
Really appreciate the sentiment and thank you for your reply i have no doubt this issue will eventually be resolved, but in the meantime i think i will hang back and maybe join again at a later date and thank you for your service whilst i was a customer.
This has not been dealt with, it’s just getting started. More PIA customers are being made aware of the situation and are rightfully upset. We can’t just close this thread and pretend it never happened. We need communication between PIA and their customers on the matter, not just some blog post with no substance, that only makes everything worse. It’s still an issue PIA needs to address.
My original query has been answered. Therefore, I don't see any purpose in prolonging the life of the current discussion.
Given the fact that you have addressed the main point of this thread, I ask that you close the discussion.
But why? Isn't it to put a stop to further discussion of this scandal by PIA customers? Would that be the prudent thing of PIA to do, especially in light of Jayson Q's commitment to transparency on Reddit?
We openly announced that Mark was hired as the global CTO instead of hiding the information. This demonstrates our commitment to transparency and our belief that trust is paramount, especially to our customers.
So go right ahead and close this thread to demonstrate your "transparency." That would be a brilliant move.
I started this thread for a particular reason and this discussion has outlived its purpose. You are welcome to open another discussion pertaining to the topic which you wish to discuss.
@OpenVPN, I don't think Jayson will. He has already stated his case for closure. Like fire, which needs three things to exist, fuel, heat, and oxygen, this thread will need three things to continue. Fuel, meaning someone to come on and challenge the other side, Heat, provided by the opposing side, and Opposing Opinion. If none of that is here then this thread will die.
Transparency by definition means "free from pretence or deceit".
Your definition is correct (although your veracity has yet to be determined), but only in part. The Oxford English Dictionary also defines "transparent" as:
Easily seen through, recognized, understood, or detected; manifest, evident, obvious, clear.
For a great many of we, your customers, the decision to appoint Mark Karpeles is anything but "understood", "manifest, evident, obvious, clear." Instead we find ourselves completely flabbergasted by the decision, which is why so many turned to your subReddit (which you closed) and here for clarity (transparency). We're still not finding it. Try again.
Comments
I really don't think we have anything to worry about. PIA has a long history of protecting customer privacy at all cost and I'm certain they'll take the appropriate steps to rectify this situation as they have with all others.
Whether or not Mark Karpeles is actually guilty of intent to defraud it's likely he'll be the one to take the fall for having been at the center of the debacle that undermined confidence in bitcoin and caused the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars of his clients' money. Under Japanese jurisprudence establishing intent isn't nearly as important as it is under US and European jurisprudence. In Japan intent doesn't need to be proven, only that a constructive fraud took place.
PIA is facing the very real potential of having their CTO incarcerated for many years in, what amounts to, one of the most draconian prison systems in the world. Japan's prosecutors don't bring criminal charges unless they're extremely confident of a conviction. If you're indicted in Japan you face a 99% statistical probability of conviction. You quite literally are guilty in the eyes of the court unless you prove yourself innocent. As such Mark Karpeles' prospects are bleak.
If he goes down in a ball of flames there will be significant blowback on PIA for having appointed him as their CTO. Even now PIA is already receiving considerable blowback.
And this is the CTO PIA hires? It boggles the mind! It's like being Captain of the Exxon Valdez, running it aground and creating one of the biggest environmental disasters in history, and then being handed the command of an even bigger petroleum tanker ship. My confidence in PIA was seriously waning as it was. This is the nail in the coffin.
I would have more respect for Andrew's decision if the CRIMINAL case had already been completed and he was found (at least) non-complicit. As the investigation is on-going, it could be that he is CONVICTED - what would Andrew and LTM be saying then? "Ooops"? IMHO, this guy should be considered persona-non-grata until he is convicted or vindicated. It's not like this was a minor "boo boo" - oops, I made a mistake.
I have faith in the tech crew here on social media, and (somewhat) in Andrew himself, but NONE in this guy. I think it's going to be a stain on PIA.
Is this true @PIAColleen?
Let me make this clear, this is not a question of service rather a question of trust of which i found myself questioning the premise of weather or not i could now trust the judgment of this company knowing that the one thing that kept me coming back to PIA was their above reproach accountability when it comes to privacy, let me say at the very least this is bad judgment on PIA's part and at worst a breach of customer trust of which this is the company's sole asset and commodity.
If you're talking about the blogs and Reddit threads posted by Mt. Gox customers who've lost hundreds of millions of dollars then, yes, some of that is "one sided." If you were one of those victims I'm confident we wouldn't be hearing you being so dismissive.
While I take their speculations with a grain of salt as to who's responsible for the heist, in my book they're more than entitled to be "one sided." In spite of their being defrauded, so far they've been remarkably restrained. I'm frankly surprised I haven't yet seen any of them calling for Mark Karpeles' head on a pike.
As to the vast majority of "what one reads" about this scandal -- actual news media sources -- I've read a great deal of it and I have yet to read anything that's "one sided." All that's been reported have been the facts, and the facts paint a very negative picture leading any thinking person to the conclusion that Mark Karpeles is not someone any company on the planet should hire in any capacity, let alone their CTO, at least until such time as his name has been cleared.
I have read this and the reddit thread and the Founder statement.
I have to agree with the assessment of tomeworm.
I don't think it was a good or wise idea to hire someone who is under criminal investigation.
However for the time being I am remaining with PIA and will wait and see what happens.
@PIAJason
@Max-P
This has not been dealt with, it’s just getting started. More PIA customers are being made aware of the situation and are rightfully upset. We can’t just close this thread and pretend it never happened. We need communication between PIA and their customers on the matter, not just some blog post with no substance, that only makes everything worse. It’s still an issue PIA needs to address.
It doesn't matter if it's in this topic or another. If they close this one then @donv45 just start another one with a more descriptive subject.
So go right ahead and close this thread to demonstrate your "transparency." That would be a brilliant move.
Transparency does not entitle anyone to a debate, however it is something we are willing to do as long as it is respectful.
I will close the thread if it becomes chaotic, abusive or other negative behaviour.
Due to the senior nature of the discussion, I will be personally answering appropriate questions (and as such, the Support agents will not be as they are concentrating on Support issues).
I hope this makes my stance and my willingness to engage clear on the proviso that comments and feedback are constructive.
Not to fan flames on the fire but i was a long standing customer who has now canceled my subscription with great regret because of this issue.
I also agree this issue needs to be left open as there a more long standing customers who are also canceling their subscriptions i don't think this issue is going to just go away i hope you can take onboard what some of your customers are saying before you start to loose more.
If you decide to return, please let me know and I will only be too happy to welcome you back. All I can promise on behalf of myself and my team is that we will continue to support, assist and guide you all, customer or not, as best as we can.
Like I said in the Reddit thread, Mark's position oversee global technology and not Private Internet Access as that is the remit of the Technical Lead. We work tirelessly to ensure your privacy and security, that has not and will not change. We will also continue to release our code under our Open Source policy and commitment to demonstrate transparency and desire for betterment for all. This will also demonstrate that we have nothing to hide, we do not log and we are wholly committed to you as a person, not just as a customer.
I wish you well and our door is always open should you wish to return or just would like some advice.
Really appreciate the sentiment and thank you for your reply i have no doubt this issue will eventually be resolved, but in the meantime i think i will hang back and maybe join again at a later date and thank you for your service whilst i was a customer.
kind regards
tomeworm said: I started this thread for a particular reason and this discussion has outlived its purpose. You are welcome to open another discussion pertaining to the topic which you wish to discuss.
@PIAJayson, Please close this thread.
For a great many of we, your customers, the decision to appoint Mark Karpeles is anything but "understood", "manifest, evident, obvious, clear." Instead we find ourselves completely flabbergasted by the decision, which is why so many turned to your subReddit (which you closed) and here for clarity (transparency). We're still not finding it. Try again.