• by Wendy Davis  @wendyndavis, April 15, 2010

The technologist who first reported that Comcast was degrading peer-to-peer traffic is now asking subscribers to opt out of a class-action settlement stemming from the throttling. The settlement involves Comcast giving rebates of up to $16 to affected subscribers.

“If that tiny amount of money is compensation, then there is no penalty to Comcast for interfering with its customers, for failing to disclose it, for repeatedly lying about it, and for taking so long to stop it,� says software tester Robb Topolski.

“The settlement was reached under the assumption that the FCC would still oversee Comcast,� he adds. “With Comcast’s victory over the FCC's authority, there is nothing to stop Comcast or any other ISP from again interfering with a your Internet communications.�

Last month, an appellate court ruled that the FCC had no authority to sanction Comcast for violating neutrality principles.