Comcast likely cares very much if you run a Tor <i>exit</i>. They don't care at all (and probably can't even tell) if you just use the browser bundle.<p>Someone was likely threatened with disconnection for the former. This is probably the source of the confusion.
It's a <i>very</i> good sign that Comcast is posting this kind of correction. It indicates that they perceive a broad social consensus that supporting internet anonymity is a crucial responsibility of an ISP, and lends credence to the ongoing importance of net neutrality.<p>It also, as a secondary effect, might incline us to look more favorably on Comcast's arguments regarding backbone capacity negotiations.
It's a little scary how quickly an unsourced and highly questionable story can spread when it feeds a popular narrative (in this case that Comcast is evil).
"Customers are free to use their Xfinity Internet service to visit any website, use any app, and so forth."<p>Any app, but not on any device as I found out when I tried to activate HBO GO on a Roku. Apparently if Comcast is your ISP, you cannot use HBO GO on your Roku (or PS3 for that matter).<p>EDIT: You can see what devices are supported here:
<a href="http://www.hbogo.com/activate/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hbogo.com/activate/</a>
The earlier thread on this, <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8318652" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8318652</a>, was (appropriately) flagged by users. But it did have a judicious top comment.
I know it's a word vomit blast, but tried to post this comment on the page; I doubt it'll get approved or replied to...<p>"
...educational and voluntary copyright program." -- volunteer, hum, afaik <i>and from what I recall from seeing these in the past</i>; by clicking on <i>any</i> of the links in one of those emails, you are admitting guilt. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I take it that if you respond to these you admit that you downloaded something & if you just ignore there is nothing you (comcast) can do to prove otherwise (what if you have an open network, share your key with friends, etc.) Likewise, who would want to volunteer for a program that profiles what their downloading. While you say you don't "terminate" users based on copyright infringement, the fact is that you are monitoring your users to differentiate who's doing what. I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I don't believe this PR stunt. I know it means nothing, since I'm from the internet (and who should take me seriously), but I've been a corporate customer, and have worked with residential users of comcast, and would not doubt nefarious monitoring. If you would like anyone to take you seriously proof would be nice, not just a inconsequential mess of "yeah, we promise we're not monitoring you, and I, Jason, am using tor, so it's okay." For one you're the VP, no one would dare step on your toes, you don't count!
"
<i>We do not terminate customers for violating the Copyright Alert System (aka "six strikes"), which is a non-punitive, educational and voluntary copyright program.</i><p>Since when is this "voluntary"? I'm guessing in that if you choose not to subscribe to any ISP, I guess you wouldn't be 'enrolled' in the program, but you also wouldn't have internet service, about as 'voluntary' as breathing is to life.
Whatever may be wrong with Comcast (connectivity-wise I'm soooo glad I don't live in the US), this is absolutely exemplary damage control PR.<p>Clear, accessible, no weasel words, no lawyer-speak, to the point and with a human touch to round it of.
> Comcast doesn’t monitor our customer’s browser software, web surfing or online history.<p>I'd take this as evidence they monitor every connection that isn't over http ... which happens to include VPNs and Tor. Otherwise, they would have just said "We do not monitor your internet connection except to gather aggregate statistics for billing purposes".