Well some servers like cis.dfm.de would offerer filtered access while other severs like #Altopia would offer completely uncensored access. Some would offer something in between, like #Giganews.

The choices were well documented so users made an informed choice.

People could also pay more for servers with long retention and and more securely encrypted access to the sever.

It evolved over a long time though; more than 10 years. Whether we can do it faster? Here's hoping.