Group Seeks Investigation of Deep Packet Inspection Use By ISPs

wiredmikey writes: European Digital Rights (EDRi), together with 45 NGOs, academics and companies across 15 countries, has sent an open letter to European policymakers and regulators, warning about widespread and potentially growing use of deep packet inspection (DPI) by internet service providers (ISPs). DPI is far more than is required by the ISP to perform its basic purpose, and by its nature privacy invasive, and not strictly legal within the EU. Nevertheless, many are concerned that its practice and use within Europe is growing, and that 'some telecom regulators appear to be pushing for the legalization of DPI technology.'

One of the drivers appears to be the growing use of 'zero-rating' by mobile operators. 'A mapping of zero-rating offers in Europe conducted by EDRi member Epicenter.works identified 186 telecom services which potentially make use of DPI technology,' writes EDRi. [PDF here]

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