yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Entropy512:
Not sure. I think your usage has to be fairly high for them to turn on the investigative tools. Don't think their network can "big brother" everyone at once.

I tether my Tab 10.1 fairly often, but no nastygram. However my data usage rarely goes over 1 GB.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] -Kevlar-:
I don't tether and have less than 2gb a month and received the letter and a text. It's just a scare tactic. I called them and the guy said it was because my blutooth was picking up other devices. I was like what? Haha
[Samsung Infuse 4G] bradbusa:
i wonder if it matters whether you're using the native usb tethering vs wifi tethering?
[Samsung Infuse 4G] bioert:
I have tether a lot by Wifi, recently I use USB and receive the email. Don't know exactly if they can track usb connections.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Twiddler:
Is PDAnet the answer?

After I got the letter, I stopped tethering until I found a fix. I can't lose my unlimited data plan.

After a lot of research, I settled on PDAnet, a free app that's in the market that claims that you can tether without even rooting. It has a hiding method that makes all data appear to be requested and consumed by the phone. Without packet sniffing, AT&T (I believe) can't learn otherwise.

Unfortunately, I believe that bluetooth and USB connections are the only ones supported.

If I get another letter, or lose my unlimited data, I will report back here.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] ibanezbass:
AT&T did not send me a warning letter/text. They just sent me a text to inform me they were switching me... I think calling them may be pointless.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Twiddler:
I would think that it's only pointless if you're planning on "taking your medicine". If you plan on begging for your unlimited plan back, it can't hurt.

Don't deny tethering to them though, they seem to have a good detection process, however they're doing it.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] ibanezbass:
I ended up getting my data plan back and promised not to tether again. I hope they aren't assuming from UA though, because I fake my UA all the time to see the full desktop sites. I don't see how this would work for them though since it's common for people to be able to change their User Agent.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] MisterEdF:
FWIW PDANet didn't help on the iPhone. Letters were still received.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Yamaha750:
Warning letter also

One month I hit a little over 4gb and the past bill was 5gb. I called and they said my last 2 months showed I was tethering. When I explained that I stream Pandora & Sirius 5-6 hours a day at work they asked if I had wired headphones or a bluetooth headset. When I said bluetooth, she said that was a problem. She further explained that my bluetooth was receiving data from my phone, which they consider tethering. She also gave the following examples as forms of tethering and said I could be forced a new plan if I did these as well. Using my auxillary cord to my car stereo to hear my gps, or stream music. Connecting my tv out to my monitor or bigscreen to watch Netflix, Hulu or any other data streaming. She further said that essentially any device, besides headphones that were plugged into their phone or receiving network data is considered a form of tethering. She said a lot of people are misinformed and assume you must use a laptop or pc to be considered tethering.

They gave me a break and said they would continue to monitor my account. She also suggested turning off my data and using my music player to listen to music thru bluetooth at work.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] shadow65781:
Wow. If this is true, we are going to have to take a stand. By that I mean take this fight to the press if we make a big stink. I mean like a skunk stink, they may concede some of these Nazi shutup slave tactics. I cannot believe that att says if you stream content through a bluetooth device that you're tethering. That is bullsh#t.

I suggest that we document these conversations and make send them to all blogs, like engadget twit. Androidpolice, twitter, and your state and federal representative as well as the bbb and you're state attorney general if we don't fight there ain't gonna be nothing left to fight for.

sent from my Infuse at Tranquility Base.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] sumeet909:
Ouch...really? seriously? no kidding...unbelievable. If I am wearing Bluetooth headset while driving and running GPS, that would be a tether and I can't really control that. In many states like MD, you have to use headsets.

How do they detect Bluetooth pairing? Any experts who could answer that? I have lot of questions, but a little overwhelmed with this new info.

- Are international Galaxy S2 users getting these warnings on MediaNet plan?

- Are people using custom ROMs getting these messages?

- Any recommended software for wifi hotspot that doesn't get flagged?

- Anyone using unbranded phone who got this warning? which phone?

We need more info to draw patterns here, please contribute. How can they know that Pandora is being streamed via Bluetooth, really beyond me? How do they flag aux out to car, how is it any different than using a wired headset. I don't remember consenting to all this info being reported to their servers, I smell a potential lawsuit here.

---------- Post added at 04:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:55 AM ----------

Also, you didn't mentioned why you called (CSR) them in the 1st place?

---------- Post added at 04:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:57 AM ----------

What do you use for wifi tethering?

---------- Post added at 05:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:58 AM ----------

People with 2GB usage seem to be getting summons. We can't really establish usage ceiling here. They seem to have a room of geeks pulling random ideas of the hat to detect and warn people.

Anybody with unlocked/unbranded (International GS2) phone getting warned?
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Yamaha750:
I called because I received a letter advising me they believed I was tethering and that unless I called, they were going to automatically switch me to a tether plan at the end of my bill cycle. As for the auxillary plug in and such, I dont believe it either. There is nothing that can tell them it is headphones or a stereo input jack that its plugged into. I swear they must just watch high data use, 5gb & up or random spikes. Also, are they mainly targeting "unlimited data users"? Thats what I am.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] sumeet909:
yeah. some kind of trigger that's a combination of usage, spike, TTL etc. they send the warning and read out the policy. How about Medianet users...anyone?
[Samsung Infuse 4G] jaysona1:
I honestly think they are randomly picking people. I use 10 to 20g a month. Nothing yet.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] antuus:
After reading through the various forums, it has nothing to do with data usage. It likely has to do with HOW the data is used. I tethered my wife's infuse tonight to my atrix lapdock as a test... browsed the web for 10 mins or so. I'm interested to see if I get any kind of letter. (She is grandfathered in with unlim data)
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Twiddler:
My info:

Just to add info to the pool;

1) Received the letter

2) Method: 100% wifi tether to various devices like tablet, work laptop. Now use PDAnet 3.02 with no letter yet

3) Volume: last month >9GB usage, 6.8 august, >6 july, >8 June, >8 may

4) Device/ROM: infuse running infused v2.04 for the last couple months, previous phone was captivate with custom ROM
[Samsung Infuse 4G] spirikitik:
I got caught like 5x now, it is just when I called them, i place my sim in an old non 3g sony ericson phone and when CSR answered they always told me there is an error on their system, even i never went 22gb below of use in a month. There is a will there is a way, all I can say is hahaha, hohoho, hehehe
[Samsung Infuse 4G] sumeet909:
does PDAnet 3.02 provide wifi hotspot/tether capability, or is it only usb?
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Twiddler:
It's USB & bluetooth only (sadly), but I've read that there's a way to set up an adhoc link through WiFi, but I haven't tried it yet. I'm also not sure how this would affect it's "stealth" feature.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] autotrademark:
I think if we use it smart then it won't be a probelm... I mean now days at work at home and many shopping centers etc we have access to free Wifi so try to use wife wherever it's possible and limit the use of Tetherng where you have to access it becasue wifi is not there...

I must say F these provider as they can not catchup with tech... our phone providers network is 10 years behind so they have to play these ****ty games...

But hey in this country every illegal thing is legalized by our govt so these MF can do whatever they want to do with customers...

in sample law if I am alow to have 5GB or 1GB then why ^%^$%90 ATT should even care how I use it?
[Samsung Infuse 4G] AdamOutler:
Guys, they're looking at the Browser Identification String.. When you use Internet Exploerer, it's quite obvious that you're using it... it says "Windows Internet Explorer" and they're looking for "Linux Android Internet Browser". If it says windows, you're caught. If it says Mac, you're caught.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Yamaha750:
So, is there a workaround for this? I am ignorant when it comes to networking stuff.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] sumeet909:
On what basis did you come to that conclusion? Are you sure or just guessing?

I always use Dolphin HD Browser with various identifiers Ipad/Ipod/IE etc and ~2-3GB. By this logic, I should have gotten a letter.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] joeclark:
Well then explain my wife who NEVER uses IE got caught, she only uses Firefox (which is also available for android). I think there is much more in-depth sniffing going on. And the ones who are doing it and have not gotten caught, you are on borrowed time.

That is my honest opinion.

sent from a phone using an app
[Samsung Infuse 4G] AdamOutler:
^^ She probly does not tether much.

We had this same thread in the Captivate forums. There was some guy who switched his Dolphin HD browser string from Dolphin to the one on his computer for Firefox. He got a message from AT&T.

It takes a while before they send you a message. They may not do it the first time, but they will do it.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Twiddler:
Browser String Recognition?

Other people have said that it is illegal for an ISP to dig into your data packets. Would this include the header containing the browser identifier?

I find it much more believable that they are detecting the TTL or monitoring the APN that your tethering method is using.

What we really need is a leak. Someone on the inside.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] groves226:
looking for a ttl is silly, you can change your ttl and it is not a real exact way to do anything more then a guess. Different OS's use different ttl, along with network hardware. a lot of people change their ttl to hide their os or hardware.

Now granted most phone guys might not change their ttl, but every browser can change their identifier string, simple search on google will show you how.

Both ttl and browser are easy to see with a netcat, or since your data connection goes through a proxy the proxy will show that information.

if you are worried about ttl, change it. worried about browser identifier, change it. plausable deniability is what you are aiming for since the TOS is in the carrier's favor.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Twiddler:
Speaking of plausible deniability, If an app existed that scrambled or randomly generated this information while not tethering, and we got hundreds of people to use it in an effort to resist AT&T's accusations, could this be helpful?

How can they accuse people of tethering when we mix up their detection methods?
[Samsung Infuse 4G] groves226:
that would be kinda interesting.... heh I wonder how that would play out....
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Twiddler:
Encrypted Proxy/VPN?

Can we set up an encrypted proxy server or would setting up a VPN tunnel keep AT&T out of our data?
[Samsung Infuse 4G] groves226:
that would encrypt from end to end, but there wouod be a perfoemance and.latancey hit
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Twiddler:
performance and latency is not my major concern.

Which would be the better method? VPN or Proxy? I have a server on a static IP.

I couldn't seem to get VPN to work through my cell phone even when I was able to through other internet connections. I read that AT&T blocks one of the necessary ports.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Twiddler:
AT&T's AUP

I would like to make a point here, the closest thing to a definition of "tethering" that I could find in AT&T's AUP (yes, I read it) is in the following section (6.2);

"Furthermore,

plans (unless specifically designated for tethering usage) cannot be used for any applications that tether the device (through use of, including without limitation, connection kits, other phone/smartphone to computer accessories, BLUETOOTH® or any other wireless technology) to Personal Computers (including without limitation, laptops), or other equipment for any purpose.

Accordingly, AT&T reserves the right to (i) deny, disconnect, modify and/or terminate Service, without notice, to anyone it believes is using the Service in any manner prohibited or whose usage adversely impacts its wireless network or service levels or hinders access to its wireless network, including without limitation, after a significant period of inactivity or after sessions of excessive usage and (ii) otherwise protect its wireless network from harm, compromised capacity or degradation in performance, which may impact legitimate data flows. You may not send solicitations to AT&T's wireless subscribers without their consent. You may not use the Services other than as intended by AT&T and applicable law. Plans are for individual, non-commercial use only and are not for resale. AT&T may, but is not required to, monitor your compliance, or the compliance of other subscribers, with AT&T's terms, conditions, or policies."

I added the coloring, underline, and bold.

So, in essence, you cannot connect your phone to ANYTHING for ANY PURPOSE. Before you disagree with me, READ. That is what it says. Technically, that would include your charger. That's right... charging your phone violates your contract!

Also, wouldn't the use of your phone for voice or data (since it's all data with a digital phone), "...compromise the capacity..." since you are reducing the amount of bandwidth available for other users?

And... in section 6.1 it specifically disallows accessing company email using a personal, or non-enterprise plan. I've been violating my contract for years.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Concurssi:
I thought there was already a consensus in America that AT&T is crap, and that you should never use it? Why are you guys still on AT&T?
[Samsung Infuse 4G] invizo:
Got hit today, the usual email saying I needed to call them or else...

I use anywhere from 4-6gb/month since I got my infuse in June, I used an average of 200mb/month on my old iphone 3gs for its 2.5 years(LOLz). I have always had an unlimited plan with ATT and haven't tethered since August(speak of being late), and I only did so for a few hours with low data. I'm thinking it may have been me sending my friend (this last weekend) a ringtone to his phone via bluetooth that may have triggered it. But the browser identification is also probable cuz I did use internet explorer back in august for a few webpages.

Of course I talked to the lady on the phone and when i mentioned the user agent from my phone's browser she had no clue what I was talking about (uneducated nitwits) since I did start using that a lot. I would like to leave my phone on overnight for the next few days and rack up an insane amount of usage data under chrome browser desktop user agent to see if that's affecting it at all, but am unsure the best way to go about it.

I work at radioshack like 5 hours a week so I have the same access to the account as any other ATT employees at the corporate stores and can most likely revert whatever crap they try and pull on me rofl, I'm not under any special employee plan either (and it's under my parent's name still).

If any of you have ideas on how to rack up an insane data use using solely the browser let me know please and I'll keep you guys updated.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] groves226:
watch a cspan channel from their webpage.... maybe?
[Samsung Infuse 4G] apallohadas:
I hate to bust the hate bubble but if you tether your phone through your charger, that'd be a neat trick.

Let me break it down:

It's saying that plans not designated for tethering, cannot be used for tethering to computers or other equipment (presumably media players, other phones, etc.)
[Samsung Infuse 4G] LordLoss:
I got hit with the email yesterday...

I never had a problem before until the last update, maybe that could be it?

Do we even know what that update was for yet?
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Twiddler:
Like I said, READ before you disagree.

AT&T doesn't define "tethering" but Webster's dictionary does. It means to connect or tie.

In a contract you can't assume (or, to use your word, presume). Their strategy appears to be to make the prohibitive statement so broad that it would cover any tether-ish, tether-esque, or tetherly activity.

So, to use their edited words; (non-tethering) plans cannot be used for any applications that tether the device through use of connection kits, to Personal Computers or other equipment for any purpose.

Like I said, it says that you cannot connect your phone to any equipment for any purpose. A charger fits the incredibly broad definition of "other equipment". Contracts don't presume.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] snooter71:
AMEN.... :p
[Samsung Infuse 4G] apallohadas:
And no. You're just intentionally broadening a scope they've already narrowed. Pretending that 'tethering' when referring to cell phone data plans means anything other than sharing a data connection, is just being intentionally obtuse.

But keep on preaching the hate. Good luck!
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Twiddler:
Hate?

Show me where they've narrowed it.

Oh, wait, I missed where you accused me of hate. Since you did that, you must be right.

Don't you think that they're being obtuse when they write this elaborate contract with no definition of the word "tethering"? Don't you think that is intentional? Simply inserting your own definition only serves their purpose. Why would we do that? Let's make them define it.

AT&T shouldn't have the right to tell me what devices I should be allowed to have connected to a phone that belongs to me. Just like Comcast doesn't tell me what computer equipment that I can have connected to my cable modem.

I remember when cable TV companies would charge you for the number of devices you would have hooked to your cable box. They would actually ohm the line to check the load for multiple devices. The only reason this practice was ended was because people refused to abide by their stupid rules. The cable companies whined about loading problems and that they had to buy more equipment to accommodate the additional devices, but common sense prevailed.

Some day this witch hunt will end and people like you will benefit from the work of people like me. In the mean time, try not to be a speed bump.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] the2rrell:
i agree on the Stupid part........if i have U-verse at my house and have 6 lap tops and 3 phones all on MY service that I PAY FOR already.....why charge more. i paid for the service, if i go over my data plan.....SO what, let me do it. I PAID you for the damn use of the network. Right?

TO me thats like buying a Car..........but you cant give other people rides cuz you didnt pay for use of the passenger seat.......WHAT??
[Samsung Infuse 4G] apallohadas:
Because reading AND thinking seems to be hard for you:

You're struggling to make it read like something it obviously isn't. If it's not 'hate' it's certainly silly bias.

No, since there aren't multiple forms of tethering from which one can get confused or argue should it come to a legal battle.

Why? Because you want to rip them off for $30 bucks a month?

Since you're using their service, they do. Don't like it? Don't use their service. That's the way the world works. Consumers speak with their dollar.

But they do have extensive limitations on what you can do with their service. Just. Like AT&T.

http://www.comcast.com/Corporate/Customers/Policies/HighSpeedInternetAUP.html

Oh please. You're not stealing service "for me", you're stealing it because you're just being cheap. Of course I can't be a 'speed bump' in your efforts to download hundreds of gigs a month to 'stick it to the MAN', but don't whine like a baby when they catch you.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] groves226:
if you guys are going to just try to be dicks, this thread might as well be locked by a mod
[Samsung Infuse 4G] mv1luv:
How about we focus on "how do they know"? I got a warning also i rack up 15gb+ netflix + slacker + internet. Hardly ever used the tether.option but it was.nice.to.have around.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Twiddler:
I apologize to anyone that I annoyed or offended.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] dragon19766:
I also received mail from AT&T which I told them I won't tether any longer. When I was on call with att rep, I overheard him saying "2 sockets" which means (I think) different connection to att is made for tethering feature in addition to data connection for my phone when wifi hotspot/tethering is enabled on the phone (in this case my atrix 4g). That is how att can tell who was using tethering without paying them.

I'll be interested to know if PDAnet app will just use "1 socket" which is data connection from the phone to working as wifi router.

just my 2cents
[Samsung Infuse 4G] woodchuck:
I think it's more appropriate to ask why it's ok for

THEM

to rip

US

off for $30/month to

ENABLE

tethering. No other public utility provider has

EVER

intruded this far into personal privacy to make a buck.

If I had a choice, I'd go to a carrier that does not charge for tethering, but

all the carriers are in collusion

over this simple idea, and have decided that they have the right to charge us for the 1's and 0's that pass through our devices TWICE if that data does not stay inside the phone. By US law, this should be disallowed, and the entire industry should be thrown up against the Sherman Act over and over until something sticks to protect American consumers.

(My apologies to non-US citizens. I can only speak about my country's policy fairly.)

The common sense of this practice does not exist. AT&T is a SERVICE PROVIDER. It is not AT&T's (nor any other carrier's) business what the information that I pass over their network is to be used for. All I want them to do is carry it.

What matters to me most is HOW ARE THEY SNOOPING INTO MY LIFE AND PRIVACY to determine if a practice is not being followed, and how do we protect our privacy?

I'm going to Soapbox here for a second:

Sniffing my packets, TTL, and whatnots should be illegal under current US law, but until our government actually starts listening to it's people again and stops bowing to the telecommunications industry, we only have the rights our carriers

allow us to have.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] MattSoRaven:
I agree.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] hollywood528:
AT&T just sent me the email. Crazy to think... last year I was tethering on my iPhone almost everyday and using quite a bit of data. Since I got internet at my house I have not used it really. A couple weeks ago I figured I'd try tethering to my wifes tablet since I just installed the MIUI rom. It worked great. She just checked a couple web pages, and didn't download anything.

And I get the email telling me if I don't stop after October 31st they are going to charge me the $30 and automatically sign me up.

Are they really just trying to get the "unlimited" users?

Because I just put MIUI on my wifes captivate, but she is on the 2GB data plan...

so could I safely tether through her phone and just monitor my use to not go over the 2GB/month. Its handy sometimes to tether when you cant get a internet connection, but I definitely don't use it enough to justify paying the $30/month for it.
[Samsung Infuse 4G] Twiddler:
At the risk of waking the troll... AMEN BROTHER!

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I can't read the future, but it's working for me. :)