Consumer Law

Class Action Filed Against Comcast for File-Sharing Slowdowns

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A class action lawsuit filed last week against Comcast claims the cable giant misled consumers when it ran ads touting its Internet connection as the fastest and its access to content as “unfettered.”

The suit, filed on behalf of Washington, D.C., consumers, claims Comcast blocks or impedes access to peer-to-peer file-sharing applications, a press release says.

A Comcast spokesperson refused to comment on the suit but did defend its access, according to a story on the ChannelWeb Network. “To be clear, Comcast does not, has not, and will not block any websites or online applications, including peer-to-peer services, and no one has demonstrated otherwise,” the spokesman said.

At a Federal Communications Commission hearing at Harvard Law School, Comcast said its occasional delays are part of a traffic management program. Comcast was criticized for hiring people to claim seats before the hearing, a move that prevented some people from attending.

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