ISP WideOpen West in Giant Spyware Scheme, Suit Says

CHICAGO — Internet service provider WideOpen West installed spyware on its networks that gave a third-party online advertising company unfettered access to all inbound and outbound communication, according to a class-action suit.

The suit, filed at U.S. District Court in Chicago on Wednesday, claims WOW gave NebuAd Inc. virtually unlimited access to personal information of at least 330,000 people in Chicago; Evansville, Ind.; Detroit; Cleveland; and Columbus, Ohio.

NebuAd’s advertising system reportedly exploits normal browser platform security behaviors by forging IP packets, allowing its own JavaScript code to be written into source code trusted by the web browser.

Redwood City, Calif.-based NebuAd paid WOW for each person they spied on, and used the information to deliver customized ads based on people's Internet search preferences, the suit said. It also adds that WOW lied to Congress last year when it said that it had made an agreement with NebuAd.

WOW also lied to its customers by telling them that their personal information was safe, claiming in company literature that customers should be “rest assured that WOW does not and will not share personally identifiable information with any advertiser."

“Owing to WOW’s unique position as an ISP for a large consumer population, it was able to divert Internet traffic on a massive scale,” the suit said. “Assuming a single user from each of 330,000 customer accounts visited one website per day during a five-month period, the number of diverted incoming and outgoing communications would exceed 100 million.”

The suit demands that WOW hand over all the money it received from NebuAd for distribution to the class.

It also wants WOW ordered to delete all of its stored personal information, plus restitution and damages for invasion of privacy, unjust enrichment, eavesdropping and violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Sex Work CEO Debuts Upgraded 'GPTease' AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Canvas in-chat editing feature to its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Show More