Comcast Is Threatening To Cut Off Customers Who Use Tor, The Web Browser For Criminal

[Oldgamer]

The Criminal Web Browser?? Wow..

I thought this was a free public service that the US Government had a hand in creating or something? Correct me if I am wrong here. I seem to recall that. How can they threaten to cut off services for using it base solely on some suspicion? I know lot's of people use TOR for many reasons other than "criminal". Are they going to ban VPN's too?

Isn't Comcast a publicly traded company which is over seen by the FCC? Also, isn't Comcast using peer to peer service using the Government built Internet Backbone?

I imagine what Comcast is claiming is not legal since it could infringe on someone's right to privacy and free speech. But alas... I guess many people are using the popular TOR browser now and this must be cutting into Comcast revenue. Thoughts anyone?

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Multiple users of anonymous web browser Tor have reported that Comcast has threatened to cut off their internet service unless they stop using the legal software.

According to a report on Deepdotweb, Comcast customer representatives have branded Tor "illegal" and told customers that using it is against the company's policies.

Tor is a type of web browser that, in theory, makes all your internet activity private. The software routes traffic through a series of other connected internet users, making it difficult for governments and private companies to monitor your internet usage. Up to 1.2 million people use the browser, which became especially popular after Edward Snowden leaked information showing that the NSA was eavesdropping on ordinary citizens. Prior to that, Tor had been popular among people transacting business on Silk Road, the online market for drugs and hitmen.

The problem is that downloading or using Tor itself isn't illegal. Plenty of people might have legitimate reasons to want to surf the web in private, without letting others know what they were looking at. But Tor has been pretty popular with criminals.

Comcast has reportedly begun telling users that it is an "illegal service." One Comcast representative, identified only as Kelly, warned a customer over his use of Tor software, DeepDotWeb reports:

Users who try to use anonymity, or cover themselves up on the internet, are usually doing things that aren’t so-to-speak legal. We have the right to terminate, fine, or suspend your account at anytime due to you violating the rules. Do you have any other questions? Thank you for contacting Comcast, have a great day.

Comcast customers, speaking to Deepdotweb, claimed that Comcast repeatedly asked them which sites they were accessing using Tor.

In a statement to Business Insider, Comcast refuted the claims made in Deepdotweb, stating that they had launched an internal review into the discussions reported above.

Link to the News Source

 

[Atreus21]

Good. Screw Comcast, give a non-asshole service provider your money.

 

[Oldgamer]

Why is it that you can't do something anonymously or "privately" online without being considered a criminal??

 

[Brainonska511]

Good. Screw Comcast, give a non-asshole service provider your money.

Most people probably have few choices in the realm of high speed internet.

 

[Moonbeam]

Why is it that you can't do something anonymously or "privately" online without being considered a criminal??

Because I will project all the dark unconscious nasty needs and hatred for others I have on you if your thoughts are hidden from me. You could be as evil as I was taught to feel I am.

 

[Atreus21]

Most people probably have few choices in the realm of high speed internet.

Get a Verizon 4G card. Get a MiFi. Something.

I'd sooner go without internet service entirely than give my money to a company that treats me like this.

 

[Oldgamer]

Because I will project all the dark unconscious nasty needs and hatred for others I have on you if your thoughts are hidden from me. You could be as evil as I was taught to feel I am.

Well you make a good point. I guess they are projecting..lol

 

[Brainonska511]

Get a Verizon 4G card. Get a MiFi. Something.

I'd sooner go without internet service entirely than give my money to a company that treats me like this.

Again, not available everywhere and the costs and caps can be somewhat prohibitive compared to cable internet. It's not true competition and you'd be locking yourself out of other realms of the internet (eg: video streaming). In reality, getting reasonable high speed internet is really a Hobson choice - Get Comcast (or some other monopoly provider) or have nothing.

But this is another reason to prevent the Comcast-Time Warner merger. They already control enough of their respective markets, no need to grant an individual company more control.

 

[Oldgamer]

Well someone just posted this on Reddit regarding this. They are saying Comcast said they don't do this:

Quote - http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Report-Claims-Comcast-Threatening-Users-That-Use-Tor-130453

"The anecdotal chat room evidence provided is not consistent with our agents’ messages and is not accurate," said Douglas. "Per our own internal review, we have found no evidence that these conversations took place, nor do we employ a Security Assurance team member named Kelly." Douglas proceeded to state that "Comcast doesn’t monitor users’ browser software or web surfing, and has no program addressing the Tor browser. Customers are free to use their Xfinity Internet service to visit any website or use it however they wish."

 

[Anubis]

tor much like bittorrent has legit uses but lets be honest 99% of the people who use either service are doing illegal things

 

[master_shake_]

apparently not wanting the NSA to track you is criminal now.

gg

 

[Londo_Jowo]

So it's very possible someone in the forum has run with suspect information believing it was the truth. Yep, no way it was people screwing with their friends who are known to be ultra paranoid.

 

[xBiffx]

Let me know when internet service becomes a right. Until then, it would appear that you are using someone else's service and as such you are obligated to follow their rules and terms of service.

Don't like it, don't use it.

 

[cubby1223]

Well someone just posted this on Reddit regarding this. They are saying Comcast said they don't do this:

Quote - http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Report-Claims-Comcast-Threatening-Users-That-Use-Tor-130453

"The anecdotal chat room evidence provided is not consistent with our agents’ messages and is not accurate," said Douglas. "Per our own internal review, we have found no evidence that these conversations took place, nor do we employ a Security Assurance team member named Kelly." Douglas proceeded to state that "Comcast doesn’t monitor users’ browser software or web surfing, and has no program addressing the Tor browser. Customers are free to use their Xfinity Internet service to visit any website or use it however they wish."

But I wanted to be ANGRY today!!!!!!!!!

What a let down...

 

[Brainonska511]

But I wanted to be ANGRY today!!!!!!!!!

What a let down...

I'm sure something else will come along today to fill that void.

 

[Atreus21]

Again, not available everywhere and the costs and caps can be somewhat prohibitive compared to cable internet. It's not true competition and you'd be locking yourself out of other realms of the internet (eg: video streaming). In reality, getting reasonable high speed internet is really a Hobson choice - Get Comcast (or some other monopoly provider) or have nothing.

But this is another reason to prevent the Comcast-Time Warner merger. They already control enough of their respective markets, no need to grant an individual company more control.

I concede that this is a crappy situation. Move to New Orleans and use Cox. They're assholes too, but not to this extent.

 

[xBiffx]

I concede that this is a crappy situation. Move to New Orleans and use Cox. They're assholes too, but not to this extent.

I see your Cox and raise you a Charter, Mediacom, and Century Link. (Keep in mind I've still got a Time Warner if you decide to re-raise.)

It's like trying to find the clean end of a turd when it comes to finding good ISPs/cable companies.

 

[shortylickens]

In other words, Verizon gains 2 million new customers overnight.


:awe:

 

[xBiffx]

In other words, Verizon gains 2 million new customers overnight.


:awe:

Don't get me started on Big Red.

 

[piasabird]

Just ask them where in their contract does it say that?

 

[Atreus21]

I see your Cox and raise you a Charter, Mediacom, and Century Link. (Keep in mind I've still got a Time Warner if you decide to re-raise.)

It's like trying to find the clean end of a turd when it comes to finding good ISPs/cable companies.

http://arstechnica.com/business/201...t-competition-starting-an-isp-is-really-hard/

Seems to me like we need a way to constrain big ISPs from filing frivolous lawsuits designed to put competition out of business.

We might also benefit from relaxing some of the government permits required.

 

[WHAMPOM]

Why is it that you can't do something anonymously or "privately" online without being considered a criminal??

They make money selling user's internet history. They cannot keep count on the hits on a site and collect money off it! It is loss of revenue.

 

[PokerGuy]

Let me know when internet service becomes a right. Until then, it would appear that you are using someone else's service and as such you are obligated to follow their rules and terms of service.

Don't like it, don't use it.

In general, I'd agree, but when it comes to internet providers, the providers are using publicly funded internet backbone, and in many places have government granted monopoly. Either give me a free market and let me choose my provider, or have a monopoly but regulate the provider like any utility.... but not have a monopoly and let them do as they please. That doesn't work for the consumer.

 

[Adrenaline]

Comcrap and their awful customer service strike again.