Comcast: Report Claiming We Punish Tor Users 'Wildly Inaccurate' A report over at DeepDotWeb claims that Comcast has contacted some users telling them that they risk disconnection if they continue using the privacy-minded Tor browser. Tor (as our recent report explores) is an entirely legal browser used by 1.2 million people, only some of whom use the browser to buy narcotics and other black market goods. According to the report, Comcast support employees informed a number of unidentified users that Tor "wasn't legal," and even demanded to know what sites users were accessing with the browser. The report fails to prove that this is a widespread Comcast behavior as opposed to a few, marginally incompetent first-level support reps. The site goes on to quote a Comcast support representative named "Kelly" who allegedly called a user and stated: quote: 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. As the report goes on to note it's likely not Tor specifically Comcast is targeting, but the fact that users were running relay or exit nodes, therefore technically violating Comcast's no server restriction in their As the report goes on to note it's likely not Tor specifically Comcast is targeting, but the fact that users were running relay or exit nodes, therefore technically violating Comcast's no server restriction in their residential acceptable use policies (something most ISPs have, including the well-loved Google Fiber ). Not that this is all that much better, but it is an important distinction from believing Comcast is threatening users simply based on their software preferences. I reached out to Comcast and was told by spokesman Charlie Douglas that the report is "wildly inaccurate." "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." Update: Comcast engineering VP (and DSLReports.com regular) Jason Livingood also penned quote: Our customers can use Tor at any time, as I have myself. I’m sure many of them are using it right now. : Comcast engineering VP (and DSLReports.com regular) Jason Livingood also penned this blog post that's worth a read . The short version:







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jlivingood

Premium Member

join:2007-10-28

Philadelphia, PA 6 recommendations jlivingood Premium Member Story is inaccurate Sorry, but I have to say this story seems really inaccurate (perhaps purposefully so). If this were the case, with ~20M customers, wouldn't there logically be more than a single anonymous & unvalidated report?



In any case, customers are free to use their Xfinity Internet service to visit any website, use any app, etc. as they are in compliance with our AUP. Nothing new there. And there is no program against Tor - heck I've even used it a few times. FactChecker

Premium Member

join:2008-06-03 2 edits 2 recommendations FactChecker Premium Member This issue is a microcosm of Internet "news" 1) Reporters quoting bloggers speculating on anecdotes

2) "Haters" pulling up decade+ old examples to further speculation

3) Officials futile attempt to correct the errors

4) People not reading any of it and walking away with a perception based on #1

5) Throw in a ad-hominem or two for good measure to "support" your position

jlivingood

Premium Member

join:2007-10-28

Philadelphia, PA 2 recommendations jlivingood Premium Member Blog post See » corporate.comcast.com/co ··· t-on-tor

newview

Ex .. Ex .. Exactly

Premium Member

join:2001-10-01

Parsonsburg, MD 2 recommendations newview Premium Member We don't monitor your web browsing ... now quote: Douglas proceeded to state that "Comcast doesnt monitor users browser software or web surfing, and has no program addressing the Tor browser. Except that ... back in 2001-2002, Comcast DID spy on it's subscribers browsing habits ... and was sued for it.



»news.google.com/newspape ··· ,2600314



»usatoday30.usatoday.com/ ··· sued.htm Except that ... back in 2001-2002, Comcast DID spy on it's subscribers browsing habits ... and was sued for it.