Google’s new ‘Net neutrality toolbox

Google’s launch of M-Lab to help end users understand and identify when ISPs are throttling back performance puts some teeth behind its ‘Net neutrality stance. Now, instead of waiting for researchers to uncover ISPs blocking and degrading service for things like BitTorrent, users themselves can simply use the tools to confirm (or allay) their suspicions. And after a while, Google will have a strong aggregated set of statistics at hand whenever it needs it. Clever.

It will be interesting, however, to see how the Comcasts and Verizons of the world react. Perhaps they’ll come up with an M-Lab blocker?

For a good explanation of the various tools included in Google’s M-Lab, check out App Performance View duo Peter Sevcik and Rebecca Weitz’s recent post.

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