So how resistant could IRC be to chat control? Lets say we use SSL as well as authentication.
I assume they would come after whoever is managing the server as its not end to end encrypted?
If the server runs outside their jurisdiction (and not in a friendly one) then they would probably just block the dns / IPs like they do with video streaming?
most irc networks have many linked servers so that gives a range of operating ips. i think if even they blanket blocked, performming a netsplit on ops to takeover (if not chanserv etc) or disable channels is probably easier