Network Neutrality: Test your ISP Software

Yesterday I mentioned that the EFF has just releasedSwitizerland“, an open source software aimed at to detect the modification or injection of packets of data by ISPs.

Switzerland detects changes made by software tools believed to be in use by ISPs such as Sandvine and AudibleMagic, advertising systems like FairEagle, and various censorship systems. Although currently intended for use by technically sophisticated Internet users, development plans aim to make the tool increasingly easy to use.

Switzerland was released few hours before the Federal Communications Commission took action against Comcast for violating the FCC’s net neutrality principles interfering with its subscribers’ use of BitTorrent to share files over the Internet.

Fred von Lohmann, EFF Senior Intellectual Property Attorney, said:

The sad truth is that the FCC is ill-equipped to detect ISPs interfering with your Internet connection. [..] Comcast isn’t the first, and certainly won’t be the last, ISP to meddle surreptitiously with its subscribers’ Internet communications for its own benefit.

The Federal Communications Commission voted Friday to uphold the complaint against Comcast. The decision requires Comcast to end such blocking this year.

What about Europe? Consider to take action.

Technorati Tags: Network neutrality, internet freedom, eff, FCC, comcast

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About the Editor

Roberto Galoppini on Open Source Software
Roberto has over 20 years experience in the computer industry, and has spent the last 10 years working in the intersection of open source software and business development. Roberto has taken an active interest in different open source projects and organizations, he also served on some advisory boards, and helped large IT vendors, open source vendors and customers to design and deploy their open source strategies. He works at SourceForge, and opinions expressed here don't necessarily represent employer's positions, strategies, or opinion.