Verizon Doesn't Like Your Politics -- A Taste of a Post-Net-Neutrality World [Updated]

Adam Liptak's article in today's New York Times tells a story that will be repeated again and again if the public loses net neutrality to the telecom lobby. NARAL, a pro-choice group that let's its members use text messaging to inform and update its members on pro-choice policy, had its program rejected by Verizon. While NARAL's program continues to be employed by many other carriers, Verizon has decreed that its customers may not receive their updates.

So, Verizon doesn't like your politics -- not your particular political view mind you, their spokesman, Jeffrey Nelson stresses, "It is the topic itself" -- abortion -- "that has been on our list." So, its just that you have a view at all, and that you would like to express it over your phone (via text) that they don't like.

Net Neutrality has not been a sexy issue beyond the geek circle, what with Democrats reeling over the insanity of the Lieberman-Kyl amendment that facilitates bombing Iran, but let me tell you folks, the telecoms are going to hit you like no Iranian would or could, right in your home and private life.

People have been turning away from television and mainstream media in droves because most of it is canned junk. They've been turning to the Internet because the content is rich and unfiltered, diverse and surprising. And for that you can thank Net Neutrality.

UPDATE: As of an hour ago, Verizon has reversed its position keeping its role in this issue to lobbying and out of the courts for the time being.

Comments

[mommadona]

If they decide to pull the "prude" act, hows about them shutting down the pornography sites that beam their 'wares' over this WIFI connection, eh?

Oh, but THAT would cut into the PROFIT MARGIN, eh?

[radiojunkie]

wasn't it Reagan that busted up Ma Bell in the name of competition? 25 years later, I have only one choice for land-line service in my home. That one choice is...you guessed it...Verizon.

[Synoia]

Umm...try VOIP.
Vonage, Packet8, Lingo, etc.
TMobile Hotspot @Home.

I don't have a land line at home.

[mommadona]

Catch 22....you have to have a landline for the DSL for the VOIP....at least in this area.

[MikeStrong]

In 1792, after four years of working on it (after the constitution) the Postal Act of 1792 was passed. That act was the very example of Net Neutrality of its day. Among many other things, including delivering all mail equally, it forbade surveillance of the mails.

There should never have been any need to re-write this for later technologies. This original act was written not about pieces of paper enclosed in paper, it was about transferring messages.

Now, 215 years later, the frat-boy show comes to town and lets the corporate dogs loose, more loose than ever, and in a mere six years, we are ready to lose two centuries of history.

[JRWhit2]

They are listening to your conversations, tracking what books you carry on to plane, demonizing newspaper advertisements, and tasing those with dissenting views. THATS FREEDOM!

[laocoon]

When he neocons use the word freedom it means the type of freedom that makes you free to coerce others in any way you have the means to.

[Greg0658]

you got me LOL
: ) then : (

& thanks to you John for the post

& to me NetNuetrality means open access and nearly not for profit _ not some named program of capitalism goes all out for the shareholders (well, 1 for the shareholders & 5 for the execs)

[seatech1]

In a way, it may be good that this happened. It will show the courts and congress that the very thing that is feared has already occurred. So when a case comes up, or when a bill is being debated in congress, a real-world example of censorship can be used as an example.

[Synoia]

Yes, its about time parties who didn't understand the issue realize its should not just be the left who uphold civil liberiies.

It amazes me that the right label the ACLU "liberal" .

[guajiro]

Agreed. Corporate America should not be allowed to infringe on our constitutional liberties by denying us our first amendment or any other constitutional right. Employees that work for these huge corporations are already denied these rights in the workplace, and now these corporations want to enter our private lives and regulate what we do and say as if were still 'on the clock'. You're right, this is a subject Republicans and Democrats can come together on, for the sake of OUR country.

[speakyourmind]

I'm thankful for the update on this post. This is the kind of stuff that really, really scares me as an American citizen. What is happening to this country??? Our country was founded upon freedom of speech and it's just horrifying to see how the conservatives in this country are trying soooo hard to control the rest of us. It's disgusting.

[deedrdo]

well, i made my phone call to verizon corporate headquarters. i sapped an email to their wireless, online and land line divisions as well. our house is almost totally verizon wired.

i feel some personal vindication that, for once in a VERY long time, my voice might have actually been heard and paid attention to on such an important issue.

if only my elected representatives were as quick to respond (boxer and bono)

[Peabodies]

Yes. Spread the word among your neighbors, colleagues, friends and relatives. Do you ever watch Keith Olbermann on MSNBC 8 p.m. EST?