net neutrality

Stuck on a blacklist? Sue the big guys! Cisco, Microsoft, Comcast, TRUSTe

A web based tool I frequently use is called Network-Tools.com. I frequently use the site to lookup names associated with IP addresses and whois information and ping to the addresses. A recent notice on the page raised my concern. The notice says:

Network-Tools owner sues Microsoft, Cisco, Comcast and TRUSTe over IP Address Blacklisting
Suit alleges eavdropping, privacy policy fraud, breach of contract and defamation

Interesting stuff, huh? So why would this suit be raised? According to the page tracking the lawsuit:

The lawsuit claims that Comcast, Microsoft, and Cisco collected information about Smith’s IP addresses and either put them on a “blacklist” or gave them a poor “Reputation Score.” Comcast even blocked his communication link with a mail server he operates outside the Comcast network. The suit claims that in order to collect this information in the first place Comcast, Cisco and Microsoft violated eavesdropping laws. The suit goes on to claim that Comcast, Microsoft, and Cisco failed to adhere to their privacy policies. Continued »