Verizon Censors Pro-Choice Text Messages

[babylonsister]

Verizon Rejects Text Messages From Abortion Rights Group
By ADAM LIPTAK

Saying it had the right to block “controversial or unsavory” text messages, Verizon Wireless has rejected a request from Naral Pro-Choice America, the abortion rights group, to make Verizon’s mobile network available for a text-message program.

The other leading wireless carriers have accepted the program, which allows people to sign up for text messages from Naral by sending a message to a five-digit number known as a short code.

Text messaging is a growing political tool in the United States and a dominant one abroad, and such sign-up programs are used by many political candidates and advocacy groups to send updates to supporters.

But legal experts said private companies like Verizon probably have the legal right to decide which messages to carry. The laws that forbid common carriers from interfering with voice transmissions on ordinary phone lines do not apply to text messages.

The dispute over the Naral messages is a skirmish in the larger battle over the question of “net neutrality” — whether carriers or Internet service providers should have a voice in the content they provide to customers.

“This is right at the heart of the problem,” said Susan Crawford, a visiting professor at the University of Michigan law school, referring to the treatment of text messages. “The fact that wireless companies can choose to discriminate is very troubling.”

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/business/27cnd-verizon.html?_r=2&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&adxnnlx=1190894782-/3uZBSkJa1F7J/u+++epIg

[Vinca]

1. What is the law that gives Verizon the right to trump free speech?

I'd be interested in knowing . . . right after I switch wireless providers.

[liberaldemocrat7]

5. If Cablevision optimum online did not having bandwidth sharing and bandwidth throttling

for heavy bandwidth users I would switch away from Verizon for this reason.

Besides I have waited 3 years for Verizon FIOS, but someone 2 blocks away got FIOS 3 months ago.

[Skinner]

2. What the heck?

I can't believe Verizon is allowed to do this. These text messages are not unsolicited spam. The recipients have *asked* to receive the text messages. From the article:

“No company should be allowed to censor the message we want to send to people who have asked us to send it to them,” Ms. Keenan said. “Regardless of people’s political views, Verizon customers should decide what action to take on their phones. Why does Verizon get to make that choice for them?”

[Coexist]

3. it is incredibly sad that this isn't satire.

I feel like texting the word 'abortion' to everyone I know.

Okay - I use Verizon for both phone and internet and I just got off the phone with their local office - the man was a bit 'scattered' - he said he had just found out about it was looking into it and would call me back - I will update you if they do.

[babylonsister]

6. Thanks for following up on this. Hard to believe, I know. Is it even

legal? I guess in today's environment it is. :(

[Coexist]

9. just got a PERSONAL phone call from Verizon - they reversed their decision.

[Davros]

4. I just saw this last night

I can't believe it. Does anyone know if this could be a good excuse to terminate one's contact with them? I still have a year left but I would rather switch since most of the other companies have better phones and plans for including internet.

[SidDithers]

7. Now NARAL has to trumpet the fact that Verizon is anti-woman...

and recommend that all NARAL members, and concerned citizens everywhere, switch from Verizon to one of the other leading wireless carriers that have accepted the program.

Sid

[NMMNG]

8. Actually, if I'm reading this right

Verizon initially rejected the Naral text messages but changed their minds and now is allowing them:


Verizon Reverses Itself on Abortion Rights Messages
By ADAM LIPTAK
Saying it had the right to block “controversial or unsavory” text messages, Verizon Wireless last week rejected a request from Naral Pro-Choice America, the abortion rights group, to make Verizon’s mobile network available for a text-message program.

But the company reversed course this morning, saying it had made a mistake.

“The decision to not allow text messaging on an important, though sensitive, public policy issue was incorrect, and we have fixed the process that led to this isolated incident,” Jeffrey Nelson, a company spokesman, said in a statement.

“It was an incorrect interpretation of a dusty internal policy,” Mr. Nelson said. “That policy, developed before text messaging protections such as spam filters adequately protected customers from unwanted messages, was designed to ward against communications such as anonymous hate messaging and adult materials sent to children.”

.....

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/27/business/27cnd-verizon.html?_r=3&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&adxnnlx=1190894782-/3uZBSkJa1F7J/u+++epIg&oref=slogin

[CT_Progressive]

10. I was fired from Verizon because I was liberal (no, I cant prove it)

But I'm positive.

My boss loved my work, and I got praises.
Then the 2004 election came, and I told him I needed the day off to work the polls for Kerry.
The next Friday was my last day.

2+2=4.