The answer in short: not exactly.  While it seems AT&T has found a way to snoop out users who are utilizing free tether options (through “rooted” Android phones, or “jailbroken” iPhones), there is no hard evidence that that Verizon has managed to decipher between computer traffic and phone traffic.

If you’re interested in the AT&T information, check out this article:

http://blognewsdaily.com/att-to-stop-free-tethering/364137/

It seems AT&T has gone as far as sending “Cease and Desist” text messages (yes, even the fine people at AT&T appear to have verbal communication complexes) to customers using the tethering programs. However, we have yet to see this from Verizon (information gathered from an hour or so spent on various forums). Both companies, it seems, have managed to block most tethering applications from the Android Market.  While this means you will no longer be able to simply download the file from the Market…it does not necessarily mean that you will not be able to retrieve the .APK files via other methods.  The removal of these programs is likely a ploy to prevent those less computer savvy from tethering on Verizon side, which I am positive will curb a large amount of tethering, but will not prevent those with a bit of know-how from installing the programs and using them anyway.

Either way there will always linger the morality of free tethering, and in the end it is technically wrong.  My opinion is that, as slimy as it may be, we all signed that Verizon/AT&T contract, and somewhere in their tiny, well-worded small print, there is a statement declaring that “you shall not tether lest you be ridden with ridiculous over charges or canceled services.”  That being said, lay low on the tethering for a while people…it may be a bumpy ride.

-TheTechGuy