Our friends at TPM have confirmed it: Comcast is controlling internet access. The second largest internet provider has taken to 'traffic shaping,' a practice Comcast says is meant to give equal access to all consumers. In reality, Comcast is blocking file uploads to keep it's bandwidth more available. Comcast did not notify its customers of the new practice, and apparently wasn't planning on it. While selling its internet service as full access, Comcast was setting up their own computers to interrupt file sharing on the network.

The interference, which The Associated Press confirmed through nationwide tests, is the most drastic example yet of data discrimination by a U.S. Internet service provider. It involves company computers masquerading as those of its users... Each PC gets a message invisible to the user that looks like it comes from another user's computer, telling it to stop communicating. But neither message originated from another user — it comes from Comcast. If it were a telephone conversation, it would be like the operator breaking into the conversation, telling each talker in the voice of the other: "Sorry, I have to hang up. Good bye."

Legally, Comcast has the right to maintain traffic flow on its network. The ethical question arises when they block file sharing without informing consumers they are purchasing limited internet use, as well as using their own computers to interrupt connections while pretending it is a communication issue. This move will be a huge blow to illegal file sharing - but just as crippling to legal distribution.

"We don't believe that any Internet provider should be able to discriminate, block or impair their consumers ability to send or receive legal content over the Internet," said Free Press spokeswoman Jen Howard.

How do you feel? What do you think comes with your monthly payment for internet access, and how would you expect a company like Comcast to handle traffic shaping?