DigitMemo.com

Tests confirm data discrimination by number 2 U.S. service provider

Comcast Corp. actively interferes with attempts by some of its high-speed Internet subscribers to share files online, a move that runs counter to the tradition of treating all types of Net traffic equally.

The interference, which The Associated Press confirmed through nationwide tests, is the most drastic example yet of data discrimination by a U.S. Internet service provider. It involves company computers masquerading as those of its users.

Click for more on Comcast blocks some Internet traffic »

A 75-year-old lady, who apparently fed up with the lousy service she received from Comcast, took her claw hammer back to the customer service center and bludgeoned the office equipment into tiny plastic pieces.

This was after the company had scheduled installation of its much ballyhooed “Triple Play” service, which combines phone, cable and Internet services, in Shaw’s brick home in nearby Bristow. But Shaw said they failed to show up on the appointed day, Monday, Aug. 13. They came two days later but left with the job half done. On Friday morning, they cut off all service.

Click for more on Little Old Lady Hammers Comcast »

Apple agrees to sell iPhones in France unlocked

The move comes after Apple met a roadblock when its international policy of banning unlocking was challenged by French law.  A French telecommunications law, passed in 1998 states that manufacturers must offer to unlock consumers phones for a small fee for the first sixth months after release, and for free after that, as reported via French news site Les Echoes.

Click for more on Viva la Unlocking! French Law Dictates Apple Must Allow Unlocking »

A bipartisan bill that would let victims of identity theft seek restitution for money and time they spent repairing their credit history was introduced on Tuesday in the Senate.

Last year, 8.4 million Americans were victims of identity theft, and many were left with a bad credit report, which takes months or years to repair, the lawmakers said. The legislation would also give federal prosecutors more tools to combat identity theft and cybercrime.

Click for more on Bill would let ID theft victims seek restitution »

Washington man accused of faking emergency call that sent armed response to unsuspecting Lake Forest family’s home.

SWAT officers expected to find a victim shot to death, drugs and a belligerent armed suspect when they surrounded the home of an unsuspecting couple, but found they were only a part of a false emergency call caused by a teenager who hacked into the county’s emergency response system, authorities said.

As officers swarmed the home with assault rifles, dogs and a helicopter, a Lake Forest couple and their two toddlers inside their home slept unsuspectingly.

Click for more on Man Hacks 911 System, Sends SWAT on Bogus Raid »

A Washington woman has pleaded guilty to placing a Craigslist ad that caused her aunt’s vacant house to be ransacked. 

Nichole Marie Blackwell placed the ad on March 24th which stated that anyone could come and take “whatever you want”.  Even though the ad was only up for less than two hours, people came and stole everything from the home – they even took the kitchen sink and windows.

Click for more on Woman pleads guilty to fake Craigslist ad »

The controversy over iPhone rages on, as it is now facing a class action lawsuit over its proprietary and forceful relationship with AT&T.

Lawyers filed the suit asking for $1.2 billion in damages because the phone is specifically locked to only allow one service provider.  It is brought against Apple on behalf of Washington resident Paul Holman and Lucy Rivello, from California.

Click for more on Apple hit with $1+ billion lawsuit over iPhone bricking »

The Minnesota woman who last week was ordered to pay the recording industry $222,000 for copyright violations related to sharing songs, has decided to appeal the verdict.

Thomas announced her decision Monday morning on cable news channel CNN and on her MySpace.com page.

Click for more on Minnesota woman to appeal $220,000 RIAA award »

AT&T claims to respect its subscribers’ right to voice their opinions and says that the contract is aimed at stopping the exploitation of children, and other tangible wrongs.

As we discussed here in the last 24 hours, AT&T’s Terms of Service has very broad language giving them the right to terminate the account of any AT&T Internet service customer who criticizes the company.

Click for more on AT&T disconnecting critical users? Probably not »

The new ToS that attempts to give AT&T the right to disconnect its own customers who criticize the company on blogs or in other online settings.  

AT&T has rolled out new Terms of Service for its DSL service that leave plenty of room for interpretation.

Click for more on AT&T threatens to disconnect subscribers who criticize the company »