how-to block ads
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cjhorh
join:2002-01-16
Worcester, MA
| [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ads I just received a letter from Charter informing me of an "enhancement" that I find very disturbing. They are going to monitor the websites I visit and the searches I perform, and substitute their own ads for the ones that would otherwise be displayed on the page. The privacy implications of this are obvious. Although Charter claims that my personal information will remain confidential and that my online activity will never be linked to my personal identity, I find that completely disingenuous. There is no way the system can work without tying it to my IP or MAC address, which is inextricably linked to my identity.
There are also performance implications. If the system is analyzing every page download and substituting its own ad server links for the ones originally in the page, what is the performance hit? Do we really think Charter is going to invest in more network equipment to compensate for this?
Finally, I have to believe that ad-supported website publishers are also disturbed by this and hope they will communicate this to Charter (FWIW).
The letter does mention that you can opt out via setting a cookie by going to »www.charter.com/onlineprivacy.
More information is at »www.charter.com/onlineadvertising. | |
|  | | | | | 
AMDUSER
Premium
join:2003-05-28
Earth
clubs: | Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad You're right..
It does resemble the Embarq annoucement posted in that news article. (Posted by a user:)»Re: Here is an interview with Nebuad's CEO . | |
| | 
mmainprize
join:2001-12-06
Houghton Lake, MI
1 edit | That is why many are changeing to something like this.
»archetwist.com/en/opera/operator
it will allow you to not be traced while surfing but may not this type of data collection at the ISP??
Also i don't like the fact that to op out, you have to give your customer info over and over again for each PC user and for each PC, and every time you delete cookies or cashe | |
| | Skippy25
join:2000-09-13
Hazelwood, MO
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad I do not have the service and don't know if this would work. Nor do I agree with this in anyway as I see it as an invasion of privacy and a violation to owners of websites. However, couldn't you simply set the rights on the opt-out cookie so that it can't be deleted?
I am not sure how this would effect IE or Windows when you try to clear all your other cookies, but it is certainly something to try. | |
| | | 
BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by Skippy25  :I do not have the service and don't know if this would work. Nor do I agree with this in anyway as I see it as an invasion of privacy and a violation to owners of websites. However, couldn't you simply set the rights on the opt-out cookie so that it can't be deleted? I am not sure how this would effect IE or Windows when you try to clear all your other cookies, but it is certainly something to try. Yeah but charter just doesn't let you click a button to opt out. they want your name, address, telephone number etc. befoer you can opt out. WTF do they need that for? | |
| | | | Skippy25
join:2000-09-13
Hazelwood, MO | Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad Yeah, I am not sure what justification they have for wanting personal information to opt out. That cries foul.
But then again, I am not sure why they do or did many things to begin with. | |
| | | | | garnetbobcat
join:2007-10-02
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad For what it's worth, I just sent the following to Joe Stackhouse, Neil Smit and the Consumerist:
Dear Mr. Stackhouse,
I am a high speed internet subscriber in the Fort Worth, TX area. For the last year or so I have had Charter’s 10 Megabit service and I am a satisfied customer. I am writing, however, because I am concerned by your recent letter discussing the “enhancement” that will be coming soon to my Charter web browsing experience (targeted, in-line advertisement manipulation). I appreciate Charter’s respect for my privacy, but the method that Charter has provided to opt-out of this tracking scheme is insecure and woefully inadequate.
The method that you provide to opt-out is as follows. First, a customer must visit www.charter.com/onlineprivacy. Once at the site, the customer must enter his or her complete name and address. Upon submission of this personal information, the customer must accept a cookie from Charter that indicates his or her opt-out status. While this process sounds simple on face, further consideration reveals that this opt-out method is fraught with privacy concerns and places the burden on your paying customer, rather than Charter.
The most pressing privacy issue with this opt-out method is that the opt-out form presented at the aforementioned URL is not encrypted. As I’m sure you realize, this means that a user submitting his or her address to Charter is doing so in the clear, leaving this personal information open to eavesdropping. It is not difficult to create an SSL-encrypted web form. It is troubling that Charter has not done so in this case.
The fact that this opt-out system relies on a cookie to keep users opted out is also a privacy issue. By telling customers who visit the opt-out page that, “if you delete your cookies or cache files… you will have to opt-out again,” you are encouraging users to keep those files that good privacy practices dictate should be frequently purged. Ironically, the best reason to purge one’s cookies often is to prevent internet marketers from tracking one’s behavior online.
In addition to the critical privacy concerns, the steps required to avoid being tracked by this new advertising system place the burden on your customers, rather than on Charter where it belongs. A customer should be able to opt-out of this advertising tracking system in a manner that will rarely, if ever, require the customer to opt-out again. Instead, because the system uses cookies, a customer must insecurely opt-out of being tracked on each PC in his or her home. Further compounding the work that the customer has to do, if the he or she deletes cookies in accordance with safe browsing techniques, it will be necessary to insecurely opt-out on each and every PC again.
I suggest that rather than force your customers through unending iterations of opting out of this advertising system, you should allow customers like me to opt-out at the cable modem level via a secure, encrypted form on your website. I’m glad to hear that Charter has an appreciation for my privacy, but please change your opt-out process to demonstrate that you also have an appreciation for my time and security online.
--
Matt, CCIE Security, »www.wr-mem.com | |
| | | | | | DA
join:2002-04-13
Greenville, SC | Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad Very good email Garnet, the only change would be to stress that the opt-out should be permanent or for 12 months or more regardless of cookie status. If the system can't integrate with their provisioning system then they should use it at all. | |
| | | | | | | markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO | Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad Not sure what the big deal, don't most people just use ad blockers anyways now? | |
| | | | | | | | clickie
join:2005-05-22
Monroe, MI
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad The point isn't the ads, the point is that Charter is peeking into every packet sent to and from your computer and allowing a third party to track what you do via (ostensibly) the MAC address of your cable modem.
People install cookie blockers because they don't want marketers and advertisers creating a profile, regardless of how "anonymous", of where they go on the internet. And I find it highly offensive that they peek into communications I have with the likes of Google to determine my interests. I have to believe that this intrusion is illegal under the ECPA of 1986.
Even if you install ad blockers, they will still create a profile of your habits. And I'm certain they'll sell it to the highest bidder. | |
| | | | | | | | | markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO
 ·Charter Pipeline
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by clickie :The point isn't the ads, the point is that Charter is peeking into every packet sent to and from your computer and allowing a third party to track what you do via (ostensibly) the MAC address of your cable modem. People install cookie blockers because they don't want marketers and advertisers creating a profile, regardless of how "anonymous", of where they go on the internet. And I find it highly offensive that they peek into communications I have with the likes of Google to determine my interests. I have to believe that this intrusion is illegal under the ECPA of 1986. Even if you install ad blockers, they will still create a profile of your habits. And I'm certain they'll sell it to the highest bidder. /shrug Not that big of a deal. No different than the millions of other things that collect data from you. You might as well stop using a visa/mastercard, shopping from stores, paying taxes, etc. Welcome to the future. | |
| | | | | | | | | | clickie
join:2005-05-22
Monroe, MI
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad So you'd have no problem with your phone company listening into your telephone conversation to your spouse/friend complaining that you've been suffering a bout of constipation, and sending you marketing material for a laxative?
Right now, the Nebuads people say they exclude health issues. That is subject of course, to change at whenever they like.
The big deal for me is that it always starts small. "We're not going to correlate this information to your personal identity" is what they say now, but when? If you think they'll never do that, you're being naive. | |
| | | | | | | | | | markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO
·Charter Pipeline
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by clickie :So you'd have no problem with your phone company listening into your telephone conversation to your spouse/friend complaining that you've been suffering a bout of constipation, and sending you marketing material for a laxative? Right now, the Nebuads people say they exclude health issues. That is subject of course, to change at whenever they like. The big deal for me is that it always starts small. "We're not going to correlate this information to your personal identity" is what they say now, but when? If you think they'll never do that, you're being naive. No problem at all with it. They do it for Direct Mailing with snail mail already, they have for long as I can remember. Off the top of my head I can think of 4 places that do it already.
Heck even programs do it now, even MS messenger has it, it will put ads in bottom based on browsing habits. The internet is just playing catchup to what everything else in the world does. | |
| | | | | | | | 
33591094
join:2002-11-19
Canada
| said by markopoleo :Not sure what the big deal, don't most people just use ad blockers anyways now? Wow.
Ignorance is bliss, eh? You must be a happy mofo, then. | |
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BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by 33591094 :said by markopoleo :Not sure what the big deal, don't most people just use ad blockers anyways now? Wow. Ignorance is bliss, eh? You must be a happy mofo, then. Hey as long as he doesn't see the ad the fact that charter is keeping tabs on him and basically letting 3rd party have his surfing info who cares? | |
| | | | | | | Robert Morrisson
join:2000-03-31
Silver Spring, MD
| Why twelve months? Why not forever?
Should it be necessary for the consumer to notify every company they deal with that they do not want to receive advertising, or credit card offers, or whatever.
Why not make it encumbent on the company to secure permission before providing the service. If they had to do this I suspect no one would opt in. That is why they want to force you to opt out.
Congress set the stage for this with the bank privacy statements. It was discovered that they were selling your information without permission. Our brilliant elected representatives said that all that was needed to correct the problem was to allow those who did NOT want this to happen to opt out of it.
Now we have opt-out for everything. The sneaky marketers can come up with new schemes faster than you or I can opt out of them.
It was the Republican Congress that gave the OK to this. It was the Democratic President Clinton that signed off on it. The public was screwed, but at least it was a bi-partisan screwing. | |
| | | | | | | | 
showaswell
@charter.com | Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad lol@ replying to three month old comments. | |
| Havicaz
join:2001-07-17
Ballwin, MO | Someone should digg this. | |
| 
cork1958
Cork
join:2000-02-26
Fruitport, MI
1 edit | Hmm? Don't think I'm liking the looks or sound of this!
Possibly PHishy? | |
| 
CovMac
join:2000-11-06
Covington, LA
 ·AT&T U-Verse
| Apparently, Charter is not providing this "enhancement" in my area - yet! After filling out the form, I got this:
"Charter Communications is not providing enhanced online advertising services in your area at this time. Should Charter launch such a program in your area, you will be notified in advance. At that time you will need to revisit this page and opt-out of the program."
--
Mac | |
| |
mmainprize
join:2001-12-06
Houghton Lake, MI
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad Ya i got the same thing in my area.
And like cork, Don't like the looks of the things i have been hearing about lately.
If the ISP's start changing thses thinks it will change the way the whole internet bussness modle is setup. With the new caps and priate filter etc.. it is going to be some fighting going on.
Everbody wants the money  | |
| MrFixit1
join:1999-11-26
Madison, WI
1 edit | "substitute their own ads for the ones that would otherwise be displayed on the page"
I can just see the lawsuits that would lead to !
As far as I know , no one has had the guts to substitute adds yet . Add yes , but not substitute .
Seeing as how the original add has paid the originating site for the placement , if Charter strips the add and replaces it with their own someone is being defrauded ! | |
| |
BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by MrFixit1 :"substitute their own ads for the ones that would otherwise be displayed on the page" I can just see the lawsuits that would lead to ! As far as I know , no one has had the guts to substitute adds yet . Add yes , but not substitute . Seeing as how the original add has paid the originating site for the placement , if Charter strips the add and replaces it with their own someone is being defrauded ! Even if the orginal ad is not getting replaced it now has more competiton. Competition that DID NOT pay for placement. Google is NOT going to be pleased about this. They would lose revenue with people clicking Charter's ads instead of adwords ads. I do not think Charter should incur Google's wrath. | |
| scoosdad
join:2007-04-28
Worcester, MA
1 edit | And the thing that irritated me the most about the letter is how they tried to make this sound as if it was some kind of positive thing (just like the cheerful "we're raising rates again, but you're getting a better television experience!" letters):
"I'm writing to inform you of an enhancement coming soon to your web browsing experience... While continuing to deliver the same fast and reliable internet service you've always received, innovative new technology enables Charter to provide you with an enhanced online experience that is more customized to your interests and activities. As a result, the advertising that you typically see online will better reflect the interests you express thorugh your web-surfing activities. You will not see more ads - just ads that are more relevant to you." It then continues by reassuring the customer that personal info will remain confidential and that online activity will never be linked to your individual identity through this service. It goes on to explain the onerous opt-out process.
The letter is signed by Joe Stackhouse, Senior Vice President, Customer Operations. [this is not a phishing thing, this was sent via US Mail and had my usual Charter mail-to address block and barcodes on it. Charter has my address slightly wrong and it was wrong the same way in this letter too.]
Note the phrase "You will not see more ads - just ads that are more relevant". That sounds to me as if they'll be substituting these ads for existing ones. This is wrong on so many levels. Someone else already mentioned how advertisers who paid someone else for ad placement possibly getting the heave-ho for Charter ads, unless they're only talking about their own ad placement in the first place on charter-branded websites such as charter.net, charter.com. Google does this now.
Opt-out consists of a webpage which collects your name, address, Charter account number, home phone number etc. I wondered how much of that opt-out registration info ends up in the cookie or linked to the cookie itself. Seems to me that in order to set a user-side thing like this cookie, you shouldn't need to provide that kind of information.
And guess what: according to the info in my browser's Tools-Options-Privacy-Cookies, the cookie that the opt-out webpage sets (look for connect.charter.com, cookie is named "knanpro"), that cookie expires on its own in exactly one year from when it's set. So if you don't mark your calendar for next year and go back in to opt-out again, you'll be served those ads anyway unless they have some innovative way of updating the cookie on its own.
One more reason to dump them. I'm testing Verizon DSL and liking it more and more. Once I dump the Charter internet service, I no longer have a reason to keep their cable service either. I guess they don't realize that when they give internet subscribers a reduced rate for also having Charter cable, they shoot themselves in both corporate feet when they pull stuff like this and drive people away from the internet side. Once you find an alternative internet provider, the incentive to also have cable TV from them is gone too.
--
Worcester MA
Charter Pipeline 5M/Verizon DSL 3M
Charter digital cable with HD
Vonage VOIP phone
ICIA CTS-D
| |
| clickie
join:2005-05-22
Monroe, MI
| This is just wonderful as I signed up for Charter HSI after Verizon began sucking so badly.
I don't think they are going to replace ads on web pages. I think the plan of Phorm and Nebuad is to simply become another competitor to Google Adwords where the site signs up with these people as an ad revenue stream.
However, that doesn't excuse the gross misconduct of Charter doing deep packet inspection of its customers data and selling that information to a third party. Their opt-out process is ridiculous and does nothing to stop the collection of the data.
I think there needs to be a four-pronged approach to combating this kind of privacy problem.
First, there needs to be pressure put on Charter (and any ISP) to just abandon this concept. If it comes to my area, which I am sure it will, I will cancel immediately. Customers with a choice of another ISP who don't like this need to vote with their feet. Parallel to this, there needs to be a lot of letters written to the FTC and FCC about this issue. This is going to start like every other privacy erosion, they'll start small and ratchet it up over time.
The second attack needs to come with the press. Print media still holds the internet in a light as an instrument of democracy, and with the right editorial people, they can inflict a lot of public relations damage. Technology writers and maybe savy technology TV news reporters should know about this immediately.
Third, web sites that you visit who use these services need to be informed that using them will result in a privacy problem for their users. Of course, many web sites won't care, but those that do care will do the right thing and bail on using these types of services for revenue generation.
Finally, some way needs to be created that simply makes the data these people collect full of noise. I don't know if it's a screen saver that constantly runs out to Google and does random searches based upon dictionary words, but something needs to fill the databases with meaningless data. Once that happens, those who use Phorm and Nebuad will realize that this method has become nothing special and hopefully, the business will fail.
I have a serious problem with deep packet inspection of my data. There is no reason some outfit in California should be able to peek inside my searches on Google, my email on Yahoo, the IMs my kids send or any of my other data. And they say now that they'll respect your privacy in certain ways, but when it suits them, I'm sure Charter will cough up your name and address at the drop of a hat. | |
| |
BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
1 edit | Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by clickie :I don't think they are going to replace ads on web pages. I think the plan of Phorm and Nebuad is to simply become another competitor to Google Adwords where the site signs up with these people as an ad revenue stream. No you have it wrong. They plan on repalcing ads. Ads that people have PAID to be placed on sites. If I'm a site owner I don't wants my vistiotrs seein ads that I didn't ask to be on my site. If I have Adwords ads on my site I'm not getting paid if they are replaced or are in competition with ads that have no business being on my site.
This is why ISPs should ONLY be a "dumb pipe" otherwise they get stupid ideas like this in their heads. Sorry Charter I'm paying you $50 a month to provide me interent access and that's all. And that $50 is more than enough to cover that expense. I'll find my content and advertising on my own.
Boy the ISPs sure know how to screw up a good thing. | |
| | | clickie
join:2005-05-22
Monroe, MI
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad I disagree. As much as I am hopeful this is the case, I can't see the legal team at Charter being party to such an act that infringes so blatantly. But, we'll disagree for now and see what happens.
As far as the dumb pipe goes, this is an interesting take on their plans:
»www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/us···00-.html
Which means, if the ECPA of '86 hasn't been sufficiently wounded (I'm checking), Nebuad and Phorm can't accept the deep packet inspect data because it's illegal to have wire communications intercepted. Period. | |
| | | Robert Morrisson
join:2000-03-31
Silver Spring, MD
| Verizon is playing games with their FiOS service. They are hijacking your browser to intercept improper DNS requests and turning them into a search.
If you enter a Web address incorrectly, instead of getting an error, and a chance to correct it, you now get a search window with the wrong information entered, along with a note asking if you want to search for it.
The address bar will be filled with a mega-URL filled that makes it impossible to simply correct the original error.
No doubt Verizon makes money sending people to various Websites. I flat WILL NOT search from a forced search bar from Verizon, MSN, or anyone. This whole concept of hijacking DNS is getting out of control.
Verizon said it is more convenient and many people like it. I suspect they just put up with it. I demanded an explanation from them as to why they saw fit to alter my browsing and was promised one. Hell will freeze over before they reply.
I was given a fix to eliminate the problem, one that involves changing the DNS servers in the router. The problem is that I must then enter all of the other information manually, including the IP address. If that changes my router will suddenly die until I manually update it.
When will the ISPs learn that most of us want to have an IP socket and good service, without being forced to see yet more annoying ads or being forced into a search bar.
If I can't trust them for basic services such as DNS, why trust them with anythine else?
BTW - FiOS has been excellent and Verizon has been quite good to deal with. But someone needs to put a stop to this practice of hijacking DNS for profit. | |
| haplo2112
join:2003-05-12
Charlton, MA | Got the same letter in Charlton, MA.
GOD! I Hate this Damn Company! | |
|
BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| This stuff should be opt-IN not opt-OUT. Why do you have to submit your full name and address and crap to opt out?
Screw all that how about I just hunt down all cookies having to do with Charter and deleting them?
Also the FAQ says you won't see more ads. That can only hapen if they are taking away ads that are already meant to be on the page you are looking at. What right does Charter have to do that? Don't be shocked when site that rely on ads to make money start blovking ISPs that do this crap. I would. A visitor to my site that can't see my ads is of no use to me. He just wastes my bandwidth and costs me money. | |
| | clickie
join:2005-05-22
Monroe, MI
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad I hope you're right, because the more backlash, the better.
From my reading of the Phorm and Nebuad sites, it seems to me that these do not replace existing ads, they are another ad syndication service.
However, if Charter isn't using these people and comes up with the own solution or different provider, then all bets are off. As I said, I hope the approach this with as much stupidity as possible so it's easy for them to get sued. | |
| | |
BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by clickie :From my reading of the Phorm and Nebuad sites, it seems to me that these do not replace existing ads, they are another ad syndication service. Plerase read carefully
"Will I see more ads now than I used to see?
No, you will not see any more ads now than you would otherwise see."
No you can not have their ads and not have more ads without replacing existing ads. It is impossible. | |
| | | | clickie
join:2005-05-22
Monroe, MI
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad You're not considering that the web site owner has entered into an agreement with Nebuad. Look on the site, why do you think there's a link for web site content creators? These people are another ad syndication service that web masters use to generate revenue. Switching from Google Adsense to these jokers will result in -- no additional ads. The web site owner simply sells the space to Nebuad resulting in -- no additional ads.
This doesn't make it any better though because it's offensive to me that Charter thinks they have a right to peek into my communications, give the information to a third-party and profit. I have to believe this is a violation of the ECPA. | |
| | | | |
BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by clickie :You're not considering that the web site owner has entered into an agreement with Nebuad. Look on the site, why do you think there's a link for web site content creators? These people are another ad syndication service that web masters use to generate revenue. Switching from Google Adsense to these jokers will result in -- no additional ads. The web site owner simply sells the space to Nebuad resulting in -- no additional ads. No read what Charter is doing. They are putting ads on sites that HAVE NOT signed up for this service. | |
|
ant2305
@charter.com | This is just charters DNS hijack they started a year ago in some areas, if you use some other DNS server you won't be effected. | |
| | DA
join:2002-04-13
Greenville, SC
·Charter Pipeline
 ·ViaTalk
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by ant2305 :
This is just charters DNS hijack they started a year ago in some areas, if you use some other DNS server you won't be effected.
No, this is more than that. It is deep packet inspection to inject/replace ads on some websites with ads charter serves that it injects based on your browsing habits. This is pretty messed up imo... | |
|
CBJ
@charter.com
| I just opted out, and was pretty shocked when it told me that I had to opt out AGAIN every time I clear my cookies. That's hard core.
Yes, people use ad blockers. That's not the point. The point is that our ISP is collecting data from our computer use.
Everything we do is being logged by the company, or at least much of it.
The telephone companies are REQUIRED to spy on us now when asked to do so (thanks Supreme Court) and now our computers are open for anyone to see as well.
I want a better opt-out, or an opt-in. I'm seriously considering switching companies over this. | |
| | clickie
join:2005-05-22
Monroe, MI
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad I agree, and it seems to be a solution in part with the comments in an interview from the CEO of Nebuad who said that 40% of people clearing their cookies at least once a month is making life difficult for online marketers.
Well, that's just too bad.
I just converted over from Verizon DSL because in the evenings, I'm lucky to see 768k. But this outrage hasn't hit my neck of the woods just yet, so I figure I'll wait to see how far I get on my promo rate and when it hits, I'll think about jumping back to Verizon.
Well, until Verizon implements this kind of nonsense.
I've fired off a couple emails to the EFF about this. This is an obscene infringement into the privacy of customers by peeking into search and form submissions. | |
| | | robertfl
Premium
join:2005-10-10
Mary Esther, FL
·Cox VOIP
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad BLOCK the ads by using firefox with noscripts and adremoval..
if your looking for something more powerful, try admuncher »www.admuncher.com (not free)
-Rob
--
»www.cband.info - unique radio you won't find elsewhere. join the chat and join our growing family. | |
| | | | clickie
join:2005-05-22
Monroe, MI
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad That's sweet. And what wonderful anti-deep packet inspection tools does noscripts and adremoval have?
None. And that's the problem, because as I've stated above, the ads are only the symptom of the real problem. These people are looking at each and every packet to and from your computer.
Reading email on Yahoo mail --- they're reading over your shoulder.
Doing a search for something on Google -- they are looking at your queries.
Reading funny things on The Onion -- yep, they know that too. And how long you spent reading.
That's the problem. | |
|
hlpM3
@charter.com
| charter is so far in debt besides charging more for internet service they are now making money by selling its users browsing activity's....
When they start loosing customers over privacy concerns I wonder how long it will be before they realize this isn't the way to make a buck. | |
| | clickie
join:2005-05-22
Monroe, MI | Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad
Do you or anyone here happen to know the deployment schedule? | |
| | markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO
·Charter Pipeline
| said by hlpM3 :
charter is so far in debt besides charging more for internet service they are now making money by selling its users browsing activity's....
When they start loosing customers over privacy concerns I wonder how long it will be before they realize this isn't the way to make a buck.
You must be new here, they don't charge that much for internet anymore. | |
| | | 
raw
War Eagle
Premium
join:2001-01-17
Madison, AL
clubs:
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by markopoleo :You must be new here, they don't charge that much for internet anymore. You must live in a market where there is actual competition.
Here in Auburn, AL, I'm paying $120 a month for 1 HD box, the digital sports tier, the HD tier (no movie channels), and 5 Meg net.
If I had another option, believe me, I'd take it. I'm in an apartment with no wiring for a phone line and no legitimate shot at the southwestern sky.
As for the topic at hand, this calls for me to start using my university VPN connection for basically every task. This is on top of calling them and bitching. | |
| | | | markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO
·Charter Pipeline
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by raw :said by markopoleo :You must be new here, they don't charge that much for internet anymore. You must live in a market where there is actual competition. Charter only game in town, price for 16meg internet is $55 a month. Cheap for me. | |
| 
rahlquist
Redeye
join:2001-10-30
Villa Rica, GA
| Ok let me get this right.
ISP with 6 million customers is starting a program where they will replace existing banner ads (for example) with ads that they get paid for that based on the content your viewing would be relevant.
So say I am searching for a job on zippyjobsite.net (made up) and they have a banner ad for a temp agency like Kelly Services. Charter seeing where you're at can, under this program, replace that Kelly Services ad that Kelly Services paid to have placed on that page with say a MrMegaJobsite.net ad that Charter was paid for?
If thats what happening here holy monopolistic hijacking batman! It wont take long for them to be sued for this. They are acting as a content provider, opting out of their section 230 protection in the CDA (by editorializing any content they become liable for all content).
What it amounts to in my book though is theft plain and simple. In any other space if you simply took over someone's ad space, billboard, commercial etc its theft plain and simple. | |
| |
airhead
@bellsouth.net
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad @rahlquist, well said and absolutely correct...
Such action is equivalent to them intercepting network produced ad-based television signals, and replacing that million-dollar super bowl ad with their own (for example). In that case, networks would just "cut them off". In this case, it's messier, because you could consider every website as a 'network' of sorts.
I personally have a very large number of google ad-based websites. Wouldn't the internet look funny if every site just "cut them off" and dropped all of Charter's IP addresses in iptables? Probably wouldn't happen on the internet like it would tv... which I guess is why they think they can get away with it. Time for the FCC to step in and do something about this. | |
| | |
BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by airhead :
I personally have a very large number of google ad-based websites. Wouldn't the internet look funny if every site just "cut them off" and dropped all of Charter's IP addresses in iptables? Probably wouldn't happen on the internet like it would tv... which I guess is why they think they can get away with it. Time for the FCC to step in and do something about this.
how do you feel about people like other posters here that use adblock where they visit your website and your ads can't even be seen because they are blocking them? Imagine your income if 100% of your visitors were using adblock? | |
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airhead
@bellsouth.net
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad ad-blocking is done at the individual level, i.e. each person does it. It's akin to people hitting that pause on the tv, then skipping over the commercial. Before the DVR pause, someone could have just recorded tv on tape, then fast-forward over the commercials. There's really nothing a content-provider can do about that.
But this is a bigger deal. This is a company sitting between the provider and consumers, replacing ads (if that is actually what is happening... perhaps everyone is reading a marketing statement as a legal statement... no offense, but salesmen generally aren't as high on the logical-reasoning meter as lawyers and engineers...)
If allowed, then all ISPs will eventually follow suit. Why wouldn't they? It's like free easy money just sitting there on the table. And the end effect? ... will have to think more... but at first, I would guess I'm looking at another 10k/year for SSL certs to put on all my sites... ugh | |
|
mutetiger
@safeclick.net | Would it be possible for anyone who received a letter from Charter to post the full text of the letter? Maybe it could be scanned in an OCRed? Thanks. | |
| | scoosdad
join:2007-04-28
Worcester, MA
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by mutetiger :
Would it be possible for anyone who received a letter from Charter to post the full text of the letter? Here it is, complete:
Dear xxxxx,
I am writing to inform you of an enhancement coming soon to your web browsing experience via Charter's High-Speed Internet service. While continuing to deliver the same fast and reliable internet service you've always received, innovative new technology enables Charter to provide you with an enhanced online experience that is more customized to your interests and activities.
As a result, the advertising you typically see online will better reflect the interests you express through your web-surfing activity. You will not see more ads - just ads that are more relevant to you.
This service was designed to ensure that your privacy as a Charter customer will continue to be protected. Your personal information will remain confidential and your online activity will never be linked by anyone to your individual identity through this service. The service is completely anonymous and does not collect or use any information that identifies you or your family.
As your trusted communications provider, it is important to us that you continue to be in complete control of your online experience. If you would like to learn more about this exciting new service please visit www.charter.com/onlineadvertising. For information on Charter's privacy policy and how to opt out of this service, visit www.charter.com/onlineprivacy.
Charter is committed to offering the highest quality service to our customers, and we thank you for the trust you have placed in us to deliver it to you.
Sincerely yours,
Joe Stackhouse
Senior Vice President, Customer Operations
--
Worcester MA
Charter Pipeline 5M/Verizon DSL 3M
Charter digital cable with HD
Vonage VOIP phone
ICIA CTS-D
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| | DG6
join:2002-05-14
New Hartford, CT | And I'll continue to use AdBlock Plus with Firefox to stop all these ads. | |
| zed260
join:2007-09-30
Cleveland, TN | i just called and apparently you can opt out for good for 10 dollors a month and dont have to use cookies | |
| |
AnonCC
@mossadams.com
| Re: [HSI] Charter to monitor surfing, insert its own targeted ad said by zed260 :i just called and apparently you can opt out for good for 10 dollors a month and dont have to use cookies You can opt out for free for forever by changing your ISP. | |
|
amcro
@charter.com
| i came to this website, www.charter.com/onlineadvertising because i recieved the "enhancement" letter in the mail. I did not expect to find this forum. I'm not very savvy in the computer department and don't quite understand what is going on with this situation. Is there anyone out there that can explain the pros and cons of this 'enhancement' to me in simple terms. charter should be the one doing this. I'm not thrilled about "big brother" monitoring everything i and my family are doing on my pc. I prefer to have as little advertising as possible anyway. if i want something I can find it myself | |
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