Google to introduce web tools that tell you what your ISP is doing to your connection

[edesignuk]

In an effort to identify traffic discrimination by American ISPs, Google is prepping a suite of network analysis tools for everyday broadband users.

"We're trying to develop tools, software tools...that allow people to detect what's happening with their broadband connections, so they can let [ISPs] know that they're not happy with what they're getting - that they think certain services are being tampered with," Google senior policy director Richard Whitt said this morning during a panel discussion at Santa Clara University, an hour south of San Francisco.

If the country doesn't have neutral networks, Whitt contends, innovation stagnates among application developers. And he believes that individual consumers - as well as Washington policy makers - should join the fight for such neutrality.The Register (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/13/google_network_management_tools/).

[zap2]

cool stuff!

you have to love google when they do stuff like this!

[PlaceofDis]

sounds good. i won't complain about it so long as it actually works without too much interruption.

[arkitect]

This can only be a good thing. :)

Hopefully it'll give the UK ISPs a good kick up the backside as well…
The more users know the better to fight entrenched and out-dated ways of thinking and business models…

Yes, BT, you… ;)

[vandozza]

do you think something like this will be USA only, or does it have potential to work in other contries?

[SMDrew]

Excellent work by Google. Their slogan "do no evil" is being foisted upon the ISPs, whether they want it or not :) I was seriously thinking why Apple hasn't jumped on this, as the ISPs (who are now in bed with Cable Networks; i.e. Comcast) are directly competing with them for content. Thus, all an ISP would have to do is throttle bandwidth to services like iTunes, Rhapsody, YouTube, etc., and all of a sudden the extra $20/month for the ISPs own "Media Package" starts to look good to the consumer.

[netdog]

Google may sell our (thankfully anonymous) marketing data to anyone with a few bucks to spare, but they actually are our friend. Thanks for yet another great gift from Google!

[PlaceofDis]

Google may sell our (thankfully anonymous) marketing data to anyone with a few bucks to spare, but they actually are our friend. Thanks for yet another great gift from Google!

they are our 'friend' right now. but remember this is in their best interests, which is why they're fighting for net neutrality (which i believe in, and agree with too btw). but it google didn't have a stake in making sure that the 'net was open you bet they wouldn't go out of their way.

[runplaysleeprun]

It is because of news like this that my admiration for google continues to increase.