NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] New ISP policing agreement effectively bans Open Wi-Fi
New ISP policing agreement effectively bans Open Wi-Fi
http://j.mp/pOP0S3 (This message on Google+)
A careful reading of the rules related to the new agreement whereby
ISPs will function as the quasi-legal "enforcement" agents for content
providers [http://j.mp/pdFcjW [Lauren's Blog] (not to be confused with
ongoing PROTECT IP Act efforts - http://j.mp/legUSl [Lauren's Blog]),
suggests the effective banning of Open Wi-Fi as an obvious practical
consequence.
Now personally, I never recommend that any individual run open Wi-Fi,
given the risks, unless they have a friendly lawyer already on
retainer. But now the ISPs apparently want to formalize the concept
that you are not *permitted* to run open Wi-Fi. From the agreement:
"A Subscriber shall prevail on this defense if the Subscriber
adequately and credibly demonstrates that the alleged activity
was the result of unauthorized use of the Subscriber's account by
someone who is not a member or invitee of the household (e.g.,
via an unsecured wireless router or a hacked Internet connection)
of which the Subscriber was unaware and that the Subscriber could
not reasonably have prevented ... Except as set forth herein,
this defense may be asserted by a Subscriber only one (1) time to
give the Subscriber the opportunity to take steps to prevent
future unauthorized use of the Subscriber's account. Any
subsequent assertion of this defense by a Subscriber shall be
denied as barred ..."
In other words, if your Open Wi-Fi connection is "abused" as defined
by the signatories to the agreement, you have one chance to lock down
your Wi-Fi. After that, Sorry Charlie. And remember, to even file
an appeal, it's going to cost you $35. Of course, that's chump change
to the fellows who drew up this plan. Maybe not to you. Certainly
not to me.
But after all, who ever said that sheep have a right to complain about
getting fleeced?
--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein (lauren@vortex.com): http://www.vortex.com/lauren
Co-Founder: People For Internet Responsibility: http://www.pfir.org
Founder:
- Network Neutrality Squad: http://www.nnsquad.org
- Global Coalition for Transparent Internet Performance: http://www.gctip.org
- PRIVACY Forum: http://www.vortex.com
Member: ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
Google+: http://vortex.com/g+lauren
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenweinstein
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800 / Skype: vortex.com