IIt is reasonable for ISPs to be placed under an obligation to identify user behavior that is 'suspicious' and indicative of a user engaging in conduct that infringes copyright. This situation is further amplified by the adoption of virtual private networks (VPNs) and proxy servers by some users, allowing them to circumvent geo-blocking technologies and further evade detection. 'Since the evolution of peer-to-peer software protocols to incorporate decentralized architectures, which has allowed users to download content from numerous host computers, the detection and prosecution of copyright violations has become a complex task.

Just last week, TorrentFreak reported about how the BBC was suggesting that ISPs should regard customers who use VPN tools and proxies as 'suspicious'. But this would be far from the first time internet users have been tarred with the wrong brush. With two opposing sides of the same story, it can be difficult to know who is telling the truth. Per our own internal review, we have found no evidence that these conversations took place'. The anecdotal chat room evidence provided is not consistent with our agents’ messages and is not accurate. Comcast doesn’t monitor users’ browser software or web surfing and has no program addressing the Tor browser. Like virtually all ISPs, Comcast has an acceptable use policy or AUP that outlines appropriate and inappropriate uses of the service. 'Customers are free to use their Xfinity Internet service to visit any website or use it however they wish otherwise. While Comcast customers may be complaining that they are being warned against using Tor, Comcast itself told a different story to Business Insider: Examples of prohibited equipment and servers include, but are not limited to, email, web hosting, file sharing, and proxy services and servers'. 'Use or run dedicated, stand-alone equipment or servers from the Premises that provide network content or any other services to anyone outside of your Premises local area network ('Premises LAN'), also commonly referred to as public services or servers. Check out Comcast's Acceptable User Policy, and you'll notice that proxy tools are indeed singled out for attention in the 'technical restrictions' section: Customers have said that Comcast has reached out to them directly and told them to stop using Tor or risk losing their connection.

Tor web browser controversy