FCC CHAIRMAN WANTS APPS TO ACT AS NET NEUTRALITY WATCHDOGS

FCC chairman Julius Genachowski wants computer apps to alert users to any violation of the new net neutrality rules put in place by the FCC. Dubbed the "Open Internet Challenge," the FCC wants software makers to help fight net neutrality violators by including code in their apps that would detect all instances of ISPs gone rogue. Here's what Genachowski had to say, according to Reuters:

Our goal is to foster user-developed applications that shine light on any practice that might be inconsistent with the free and open Internet," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said.
The challenge also tries to boost useful research into ways to measure, preserve and track the openness of the Internet.
The FCC said apps could provide real-time data to an individual experiencing a slow Internet connection speed, test networks for Internet service providers and aggregate network data for academics and policymakers.

This does seem to be a good thing, I worry about some of the potential areas for maliciousness. Also, who is going to teach the average user what these messages mean or are the apps just going to inform the FCC directly which leads to a whole other set of issues. [Gizmodo]