Twitter Users Cry Foul Over Google-Verizon Deal: See Their Tweets

Academics, agencies, and executives, among many others, have weighed in on Google and Verizon's joint policy proposal for an "open Internet," a framework that suggests how the government, and service providers, might handle Internet traffic and the controversial issue of net neutrality.

We've compiled reactions from tech's heavy hitters, including AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega, FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, and "Father of the Internet" Vint Cerf (Read them here).

But what are other people saying about the proposal? Is the general sentiment positive or negative? Social media monitoring firm Crimson Hexagon analyzed over 47,000 tweets posted between August 10 and 12 (the Google-Verizon proposal was announced August 9) and found that on the whole, the Twitterers felt negatively about the plan (See the chart in the slideshow below). However, it's important to consider that people most opposed to the plan may also be those most likely to take to Twitter to express their disagreement.

According to CrimsonHexagon's analysis, 27% thought the proposal represented a "corporate takeover of the web;" 27% said they "didn't expect this from Google" and found it contrary to the company's "Do no evil" motto; 17% were "generally against" the framework; 18% do not buy Google and Verizon's "open Internet" claims and feel that the plan goes against net neutrality; and 11% felt this was a "clear movement to create a class-system where people are provided opportunities based on their ability to meet financial criteria."

See additional tweeted reactions in the slideshow below, then read more about what Google and Verizon are suggesting here.

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Comments

[PoorRichardsHeartache]

01:24 AM on 08/17/2010

I switched all my google stuff out. However, Bing sucks. I get really, really strange links to totally unrelated issues when I search with them. Looking for a restaurant in Scottsdale, I get references to San Mateo in California among others. Very strange. If you are dumping google maps you will quickly discover that many of the alternate sites are powered by google when you dig down a level. Bing maps are slow and clumsy, those are the good points.

[J5on]

06:54 PM on 08/16/2010

Google alternatives:
http://search.yahoo.com/
http://www.bing.com/

http://www.ixquick.com/
http://www.dogpile.com/
http://www.cuil.com/
http://www.factbites.com/
http://quintura.com/

Net Neutrality Petitions:
http://www.alfranken.com/index.php/splash/netneutrality_vid/f
https://secure.freepress.net/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=277
http://civic.moveon.org/save_the_internet/

[man4ourseason]

04:56 PM on 08/15/2010

And do not forget the most important thing. Write to any advertisers on anything Google and tell them you refuse to buy any more of their product till Google dumps its plans to own our internet. That gets results, and get it fast.

[man4ourseason]

04:43 PM on 08/15/2010

Most people understand that this Google and Vorizon deal represents a threat to free and open internet. I do not want to pay more for what I already have now and then be censored to boot. Are we smart enough to see if giant rich corporations are for it, it is because they see us holding the apples they want. Why else do you think they are trying this?
Excerpt:
According to Crimson Hexagon's analysis, 27% thought the proposal represented a "corporate takeover of the web;" 27% said they "didn't expect this from Google" and found it contrary to the company's "Do no evil" motto; 17% were "generally against" the framework; 18% do not buy Google and Verizon's "open Internet" claims and feel that the plan goes against net neutrality; and 11% felt this was a "clear movement to create a class-system where people are provided opportunities based on their ability to meet financial criteria."

[follygirl]

09:58 AM on 08/14/2010

Google is taking us for granted. I'm switching search engines.

[man4ourseason]

04:44 PM on 08/15/2010

Dump everything Google till they dump their idea to snatch the Net.

[bgofca]

03:01 AM on 08/14/2010

it's probably a good idea to change your home page from google and to use their search engine less, but i don't recommend bing. i used to have bing as my search engine on my old blackberry. everytime i would try to search for anything, like the address of a local company, etc. I would always get really strange links listed and nothing that pertained to what i was looking for. i couldn't understand why they were so terrible at searches. i usually ended up looking up yahoo and looking for the item there. at least i could find the addresses i needed there.

[pat2 718]

03:44 AM on 08/14/2010

How long ago was that? I switched to Bing for the most part about a year ago, and it's been doing fine for me. If there are particular types of searches that don't yield useful results, you could report it -- they've got a "tell us what you think" link in the lower right corner.

[Querent]

01:21 AM on 08/16/2010

You get paid to post that? BING doesn't work for me. Microsoft has never been worth a damn at search. I could get better results asking the person nearest me.

[man4ourseason]

05:29 PM on 08/15/2010

Try Dogpile.com Funny name but a wonderful search engine.

[Marcus01]

11:25 PM on 08/13/2010

I'm not defending Google, but the problem with Bing is they have indexed only a small fraction of the pages Google has indexed. Their msnbot is just terribly slow compared to the googlebot. And Yahoo? Yahoo is a joke.

If you don't need to do serious research then by all means boycott Google. It's time they were cut down to size.

[Acert]

12:46 AM on 08/14/2010

That's funny, I haven't noticed a decrease in the quality or speed of my searches since switching to bing.

[Marcus01]

12:10 PM on 08/14/2010

That's really, really funny. Maybe you weren't paying attention.

I just did a search on Bing for net neutrality and got 3,150,000 results. The same search on Google yields 31,200,000 results. That's ten times more results. Ten times more results from Google. Granted, some folks get all confused by having so many results.

Again, I'm not defending Google. But if you're doing serious research you will be severely hampered by Bing.

[Querent]

01:22 AM on 08/16/2010

Some people just don't get it. Fanned.

[JHKH]

08:02 PM on 08/13/2010

I have switched my search engine defaults to Yahoo and Bing. I don't use Verizon for anything. Now, I never will. I'll stop using GMail for anything except to receive junk mail or to use to receive info from people/places I want on a don't-call-me-I'll-call-you basis. There's not much an individual can do.

[ewb2001]

05:35 PM on 08/13/2010

I switched my default search engine from Google. Going to find a couple substitutes for other google services. This is going to backfire on them seriously.

[man4ourseason]

04:46 PM on 08/15/2010

I hope so. It should, and that will scare the others into backing off.

[Davest]

05:27 PM on 08/13/2010

Uninstall, and switch carriers....

[Edward Domain]

02:46 PM on 08/13/2010

Google definitely sold us out. The Internet should be free and open regardless of whether it is wired or wireless and all traffic should move the same regardless of type.

There is a humorous take on it here comparing it to fishing:
http://www.flyovergeeks.com/2010/08/why-you-need-to-be-really-mad-right-now-about-net-neutrality-1789-style/

[rgilley]

01:53 PM on 08/13/2010

BOYCOT Google and Verizon !!! Take the source of thier power....money!! Without people using thier services they will disappear into the conservative corporate admixture!
BoyCot Google and Verizon!!!

[Acert]

02:49 PM on 08/13/2010

I just changed my default search engine to bing!

[rgilley]

08:40 PM on 08/13/2010

Great!!! Everyone should!!
Fanned

[ValdaDeDieu]

12:26 PM on 08/13/2010

Slow reaction. Checking the tweets of the people who tweeted a day AFTER? The very same day the deal was announced I tweeted a "BOYCOTT Google." And I'm on Huff Post's timeline.

[lightningbolt]

11:43 AM on 08/13/2010

Any corporation that dares to oppose net neutrality will be boycotted by me. I encourage others to do the same.

[artist-53]

12:17 PM on 08/13/2010

I think a great many individuals will be joining you. In this Country, the internet equals profits. In other Countries it equals, communication. My sister pays less for internet,phone and tv combined than I do for a slow controlled connection w/ unwanted ads. She lives in Europe. We know the why's of it, it is however the American way. I'm not against anyone turning a profit, but I do object to be being used and controlled and then have to pay through the nose for a substandard connection. However, if I want to increase speed, I will have to pay for it and it still won't be up to the speeds found in other parts of the world. Typical. But sad.

[rgilley]

01:54 PM on 08/13/2010

Me also!!!
fanned

[artist-53]

11:27 AM on 08/13/2010

I feel Google sold us out .

I resent any company that acts like your friend as they grow their way to power and then bing! Their true agenda is learned and it's all down hill from here on in. Net neutrality is something we must demand. Other complaints w/ the tubes, as far as I am concerned.

ads, you cannot turn off, the volume is exceedingly high. I purposely will not buy anything that intrudes on my using the web. I will often click out of even the daily show, due to ads. My desire to choose has been decreased, as my screen fills up w/ money grabbing ads. I stopped watching tv due to the ads. If I want to buy something, it will be my own idea. Not a 30 clip that covers my screen and plays out at each new click. It's insulting and a waste of money.

Slow internet service.In Europe and most of the world, connection speed surpasses ours. And it's for a lot less money.

Blocking of pages, that a server has deemed as not worthy. I call that censorship.

[man4ourseason]

04:50 PM on 08/15/2010

Exactly, and that is "EXACTLY" why they want this. Our freedom to communicate is holding back their plans to make us their slaves. Boycott Google and see the power of the American spirit.