Another dip into the murky waters of net neutrality.
Todays New York Times reports that Verizon Wireless has rejected a request from the Naral Pro-Choice America abortion rights group to use their network for a text messaging program.
In turning down the program, Verizon, one of the nation’s two largest wireless carriers, told Naral that it does not accept programs from any group "that seeks to promote an agenda or distribute content that, in its discretion, may be seen as controversial or unsavory to any of our users."
So now the promotion of womens reproductive rights is a little too "unsavory" for Verizon Wireless, huh?
To wit:
Naral provided an example of a recent text message that it has sent to supporters: "End Bush’s global gag rule against birth control for world’s poorest women! Call Congress. (202) 224-3121. Thnx! Naral Text4Choice."
Somehow the other major wireless carriers had no problem accepting this program, yet Verizon somehow can't wrap its gigantic corporate head around the issue without further research.
Mr. Nelson suggested that Verizon may be rethinking its position. "As text messaging and multimedia services become more and more mainstream," he said, "we are continuing to review our content standards." The review will be made, he said, "with an eye toward making more information available across ideological and political views."
Aww, thanks Verizon! While you can't touch our voice communications, you'll keep your foot on the trachea of text messaging until your absolutely certain everything jives with your moral standards, is that it? Hopefully you can "make more information available" soon, right?
According to their website, Verizon says there's only one reason to choose a wireless company, its the Network.
Unless of course, you're a pro-choice group seeking to promote womens reproductive rights.
Heed their advice...
UPDATE:
(11:02am EST)
VERIZON REVERSES ITS POLICY!