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by Paul-ish 2189 days ago
If Comcast sells DNS data now, they open themselves up to penalties from the both FTC and Mozilla. FTC because they enforce privacy policies, and Mozilla because of the contract they have.

I would say this Mozilla changing the overall ecosystem for the better.

4 comments

Do we know what the actual penalties are? I have trouble believing that they are of any substance.

Additionally, I think it's safe to say that Comcast has years and years of experience in finding "loopholes" and/or other "workarounds" in its agreements.

> I would say this Mozilla changing the overall ecosystem for the better.

You obviously have much more faith in Comcast than I do. Let's hope you're right.

> Do we know what the actual penalties are? I have trouble believing that they are of any substance.

So long as the penalty is less than the value they derive from violating the agreement, they will abuse it.

No. And Mozilla can't verify it either.
The FTC has no teeth and no one at Comcast is losing any sleep over potential FTC penalties. Ajit Pai is more likely encourage meaningful enforcement of this agreement than anyone at the FTC. Which is to say, I don’t have much faith.
I imagine Comcast would not sell DNS data; far better to simply use it internally with, for example:

- NBC

- Telemundo

- USA Network

- SyFy

- Universal Pictures

- Sky Group

What good is a contract between Mozilla and Comcast to me if Mozilla is unwilling to notice/care/sue when Comcast breaks that contract because Mozilla has a financial incentive to turn a blind eye?