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Re:Ask HN: Can you legally deny selling software to someone ... by mtmail on Friday December 07, 2018 @06:10PM (#18632539)
I think it's one of the reasons boiler-plate terms-of-service documents have so many restrictions how you may use a service. For example my ISP doesn't allow me to post any hate speech related content while using their internet service. Unlikely to impossible they check all users, but gives them the loophole to deny service to anybody indidually, possibly using a small unrelated technicality as stated reason, should they find out.

Random ShowHN of a website that's not even a month old https://exifshot.com/terms "We have the right (though not the obligation) to, in Our sole discretion (i) [...] or (ii) terminate or deny access to and use of the Website to any individual or entity for any reason, in Our sole discretion. We will have no obligation to provide a refund of any amounts previously paid."

Our SaaS discussed the same. We had political parties we didn't agree with, government agencies we didn't agree with (spying, tracking), even individuals. So far none made it past the trial period, they effectively never really used our service. We would deny service, we're small (and pride?) enough to stand for our ideals.

I agree with your assessment you might get sued when it comes to religious discrimination.

Re:Ask HN: Can you legally deny selling software to someone ... by sysdumb on Friday December 07, 2018 @06:25PM (#18632617)
On your point about using loopholes to deny service. I'm writing this under a more anonymous account too because apparently what I'm about to say is a radical idea and people don't usually get it.

I was charged for a crime once! I spent a month in jail! Me! I did. Yeah. They never managed to directly accuse me of anything and in the end I took a plea bargain to get out of jail (they had already locked me in jail for a month for literally nothing, I would put nothing past them). The most valuable lesson I learned from this is that we are all already guilty of something according to the way the law is written. They only call that in when they need to get you. But be under no delusions that you are not already got. Constitutional justice is pure fantasy in the United States.

If "the bad guys" write rules that make everyone already guilty I have to wonder at what point "the good guys" become guilty themselves. I'm saying the "it's not my responsibility" excuse doesn't cut it anymore.