Comcast Converting 50,000 Houston Home Routers Into Public WiFi Hotspots 474
New submitter green453 writes: 'As a Houston resident with limited home broadband options, I found the following interesting: Dwight Silverman of the Houston Chronicle reports (warning: paywalled) that Comcast plans to turn 50,000 home routers into public Wi-Fi hotspots without their users providing consent. Comcast plans to eventually convert 150,000 home routers into a city-wide WiFi network. A similar post (with no paywall) by the same author on the SeattlePI Tech Blog explains the change. From the post on SeattlePI: "What's interesting about this move is that, by default, the feature is being turned on without its subscribers' prior consent. It's an opt-out system – you have to take action to not participate. Comcast spokesman Michael Bybee said on Monday that notices about the hotspot feature were mailed to customers a few weeks ago, and email notifications will go out after it's turned on. But it's a good bet that this will take many Comcast customers by surprise."'
This follows similar efforts in Chicago and the Twin Cities.
Comment removed (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Liability (Score:5, Funny)
Opting out should never be considered a reasonable mechanism for not being in a subscription group unless you have first opted in.
Why are you poking me?????
Because! You are in my new hourly poke subscription! It is free and fun! If you prefer you can opt-out by simply filling out this paperwork.
Oh... we are sorry to see you go. But rejoice! By opting out of the pok of the hour group you have been automatically subscribed to the 15 minute nipple pinch! (opt out instructions below.)
Re:Credential phising (Score:3, Funny)
>>> to do identity freud as well.
Lets not anally fixate on this point.
Re:Credential phising (Score:1, Funny)
Tell me about your mother's maiden name...
*puffs cigar*
Re:Liability (Score:2, Funny)
I use LINUX you insensitive clod!