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Comcast, Bright House Using Javascript Ad Injection Via Wi-Fi

Over the years we've seen a number of ISPs and even hotels run into user backlash and PR problems when they've decided to use deep packet inspection and ad injection to force their ads into user content. Many users don't like any ISP hijacking of site code, much less advertising injection -- especially if users aren't being told the system is being used. Content and ad companies also dislike the practice for obvious reasons. There's also security and net neutrality questions that arise with the interception and manipulation of traffic by a third party.

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Comcast is the latest to apparently think this approach is a good idea, Ars Technica noting that Comcast is now using Javascript injection to put ads into any websites visited by users connected to the company's network of Wi-Fi hotspots.

Comcast tells ars that the messages, which pop up roughly every seven minutes and some of which promote Comcast services, are a "courtesy":

quote:
A Comcast spokesman told Ars the program began months ago. One facet of it is designed to alert consumers that they are connected to Comcast's Xfinity service. Other ads remind Web surfers to download Xfinity apps, Comcast spokesman Charlie Douglas told Ars in telephone interviews. The advertisements may appear about every seven minutes or so, he said, and they last for just seconds before trailing away..."We think it's a courtesy, and it helps address some concerns that people might not be absolutely sure they're on a hotspot from Comcast," Douglas said.
The ads are only injected via Comcast's traditional hotspots, not user home routers that have been recently modified to offer public Wi-Fi access.

Update: Users direct our attention to the fact that Bright House Communications appears to have been doing something very similar for some time.

Most recommended from 53 comments



newview
Ex .. Ex .. Exactly
Premium Member
join:2001-10-01
Parsonsburg, MD

3 recommendations

newview

Premium Member

Déjà vu

Didn't the FCC whack their pee-pee over screwing with subscriber's data packet streams in the Bittorent issue? Comcast is essentially doing the same thing. Again.
elefante72
join:2010-12-03
East Amherst, NY

2 recommendations

elefante72

Member

Here we go again

Two more reasons to use HTTPS and VPN tunnel.

Their pop up explanation is total bs, because think about it the customer is supposed to KNOW being barraged by ads every 7 minutes makes them safer by ad injection by a tool that a hacker would use?

And the reason they probably don't do it to user GW is because they haven't setup the equipment YET to do that, or maybe this is some privacy issue on net neutrality that their army lawyers have cautioned them on.

In any case, I filter ads like crzay and if a site doesn't work because of it, I move on (sorry AT&T cricket). I'm shocked on the intrusiveness when I pick up my ipad (very infrequently these days) and accidentally bring up chrome (and not mercury). I spend half of my time closing (or accidentally tapping) these damn things...

camper
just visiting this planet
Premium Member
join:2010-03-21
Bethel, CT

2 recommendations

camper

Premium Member

Out of touch?

 
Is Comcast so out of touch with its customers that it thinks that hijacking browser sessions and inserting advertisements is a "courtesy"?

Really now.... and Comcast states publicly that they do not know why it has such low consumer ratings?