On the Craigslist-Authentium-Cox controversy

Just a quick update for neutrality nerds (like yours truly). Lately, neutrality proponents have been using a kerfuffle involving Cox, Craigslist and a software vendor named Authentium as proof of the necessity of neutrality legislation. Unfortunately, it shows that neutrality proponents are out their depths on the technology.

This began in February when some Cox subscribers complained about slow performance of Craigslist in certain circumstances. The issue was isolated as a conflict — call it a mutual bug — between the Craigslist servers and optional Authentium software that Cox offered its users.

According to Richard Bennett, (who did seminal work on one of the underlying protocols of the Internet), the Craigslist servers have been giving out misleading information. Essentially, they regularly communicate “we are too busy” and ask the client (users’ software) to check back later. Apparently, the Authentium software respects the first command (“too busy”) but fails to do the latter.

As it stands now, Authentium has updated their software to work in a way that is more useful to their users. Craig is claiming that Authentium could have been more responsive. Probably so, but it appears to me that they acted in good faith and addressed the issue.

The only party that hasn’t acted, as far as I can tell, is Craigslist.

The things to note here are:

• This never had anything to do with neutrality.
• Cox’s only involvement was in providing free, optional software to their users. They ended up with bad press, but their behavior has been, well, neutral. There was nothing wrong with their network or their motives.
• Even in light of the above, the SaveTheInternet crew (including myDD) has continued to use this incident to bolster their calls for onerous new legislation. This means that they are either technically out of their depth, or willing to use FUD when it suits them.

Richard notes that the Craigslist status page indicates that they did in fact get a response from Authentium back in February. I can’t dispute Craig’s account of not receiving a more recent response, but again, Authentium appears to have done their part.

Craigslist has not responded to Richard’s technical points. That seems like the next logical step. Considering how much larger their customer base is than any of the other players, this should be a priority.

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More: Jim Lippard sums it up even more effectively.

Comments

[Daniel Dreymann]

Sen. Wyden repeats the urban legend in a letter to the WSJ editors today:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115050981931483168.html