The Email They Shouldn't Have Read
6 hours ago
- #vendor-lock-in
- #predatory-practices
- #open-source
- Author's horror story based on real events, modified to protect privacy, highlighting vendor lock-in and predatory business practices in IT.
- Agency A migrates from an ancient Exchange server to an open-source mail stack, achieving success and significant savings.
- Agency B, influenced by Agency A's success, plans to leave their expensive managed-service provider but faces hidden contract clauses preventing exit.
- Provider retaliates aggressively, using confidential information and contract amendments to trap agencies, increasing costs and restricting services.
- Attempts to confront the provider fail; agencies ultimately remain with the provider due to fear of legal and financial repercussions.
- The story underscores the ethical and practical challenges of vendor lock-in, especially with open-source software misused by providers.