Verizon Wireless is a private company and probably has the legal right to decide what text-message programs it will and won’t allow to be sent on its mobile network. Still, it was strange that the company would not allow Naral Pro-Choice America to use its network, before relenting Thursday. It also raised concerns about “net neutrality.”
The company at first told the New York Times that abortion was on a list of controversial topics that it blocks. But the messages don’t appear to be offensive and are sent only to people who ask for them. One recent text example: “End Bush’s global gag rule against birth control for world’s poorest women! Call Congress. (202) 224-3121. Thnx! Naral Text4Choice.”
Nancy Keenan, Naral’s president, complained: “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?”
Posted by Phillip Brownlee
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36 Comments
There are a lot of controversial issues. Does Verizon check to be sure no illegal immigrants speak Spanish on their phones? Do they provide their services to people from the Middle-East? Do they allow teenagers to text dates for sex or answers to tests? Do they keep their phones out of the hands of hookers? Oh so many outlets for social justice and they pick Naral, a perfectly legal organization? Who’s next on their list-Jews? Gay people? Democrats?Either they are in the cell phone business, which requires them to get as many customers as possible in order to pay a dividend to their stockholders, or they’re a nonprofit anti-Naral organization. Those two things are not compatible.
Big Brother in the form of a publicly-held company. Maybe all the stockholders are neo-con republicans . . . with an agenda. Why, the whole thing must be having the hairs on ann coulters back stand up.
It is none of Verizon’s business what the content is of any message sent over its network. I was not aware that you needed Verizon’s OK to send text messages over its network but I can see where this is something that the government will want to control soon. Text messaging can be a very powerful political tool. You can mobilize virtually millions of people with the touch of a button. For example, if the government of Wichita decided to ban all guns, the NRA could send out a message such as “City Hall trying to take away your guns! Protest tomorrow at City Hall at 3PM” and then tell you to go to a website for further info. It has not been used for this yet but apparently the NAARL has figured out that this is a great way to mobilize.
“”"”Does Verizon check to be sure no illegal immigrants speak Spanish on their phones? Do they provide their services to people from the Middle-East?”"”"
The cannot censor any voice content. That would violate the common carrier act which, strange enough, was put into place because Western Union did not want to allow certain messages over its telegraph system back in the old days. But it does not apply to text messages I guess. Apparently what NARAL wanted to do is set up a short sign up program with Verizon as they had with the other cellular carriers. Then they would simply have supporters text a 5 digit number to Verizon and Verizon would then add the subs phone to the mailing list. At that point the sub would recieve all text from NARAL and Verizon would actually manage the list such as removing disconnected numbers and numbers that are transfered from it. While this is the most efficient way to do mass texting, if Verizon had still refused, NARAL still could have used to old fashioned way and had people simply enter their cell numbers and carrier and sent the text by email. Many organizations use this method such as when you sign up for local news or storm warnings from your local TV station. These would not be subjected to the whims of Verizon.
Net neutrality is VERY important. If you are not aware of the fight, google it or go to wiki. Internet providers are not content censors, nor should they be.
To paraphrase the republicans, the internet providers provide the “tubes” and users provide the content.
Unless, of course, bushco has other plans for the net…
If someone doesn’t like Verizon’s policies, I would assume they have alternatives. That’s the nature of private business. It’s a non issue.
Not everyone has unlimited text message ability on their phone.
Even for those who do have unlimited text messages, they can be a pain in the ass if you get on some groups “spam” list.
It is like spam email or spam fax generation.
It is entirely possible that Verizon has had bad experiences with abortion groups in the past, on both sides.
More to the point: Charitable, political and non-profit groups are generally exempt from the “do not call list” requirements.
Verizon was right to be concerned, Verizon WILL take complaints from people who do not want the NARAL text messages.
However, as prolife as I am, I am also VERY 1st Amendment. There should have been a way to handle the concerns without censorship.
Don’t have a cell phone. Really I don’t want one.
That said, isn’t this the same company that cut off a bunch of users becasue they accessed customer service too much?
Just how small are they trying to focus their customer base?
T-mobil does the same thing, as far as restricting customer service calls.So does Sprint, I believe.There are some rather unstable people out there that actually call customer service 2 or 3 times a day, for extended periods of time, with silly questions or just to chat.
Sigh…
Yeah well I guess that figures. I remember when customer service was as you need it and not as they choose to provide it to you based on ideology or the hold time for the next operator in India.
waaaaaaaaaaaaah!
I can’t get my text messaging!
Like this is important.
I think cellphones/ and texting are stupid anyways. And the hands free headsets just make you look like a schizo when yourv talking to yourself in a store.
Verizon can do what ever the hell they want with the text messages. It’s their network and equipment.
1st amendment issues? This has nothing to do with exercising free speech or censorship. Last I check, Verizon is a business, not the government.
If NARAL wants to get it’s message out, they have any other means to do it. They can print fliers and hand them out.
Plus! I’m against this so called Net neutrality. That is the worst idea for the Internet ever.
Don’t be fooled by Net Neutrality. The internet is doing fine as it is and there is no danger. Net Neutrality gives the government the power over the Internet. Right now it doesn’t have it. That is why content flows freely through the Internet.
People think that companies will block the internet! No! Government do. You give the government the power of controlling the Internet, we are then in real trouble.
Learn the facts!
http://www.handsoff.org/blog/
JoePoint taken on Verizon not being the government.Even so, I don’t really want telecommmunications companies involved in “content” decisions, either.— And my point about unwanted text messages still stands. What does Verizon do if they now recieve hundreds of complaints about text messages from customers who do NOT want to hear from NARAL?—-On the customer service issue: If I go to Cox or Westar to pay my bill in person, or if I go to the Tag Office to pay my automobile tax, and I argue with the service rep, or if I can not produce a bill or an acount number or refuse to give my name, how long will it be before someone calls security and has me escorted out the door?—And if I decided to do this on a regular basis, say 12 times a day for an entire month, how long before more serious consequences might result?
AFter all, there are other people in line.
The customer is not always right. Sometimes the customer is criminal, sometimes the customer is mentally unstable.Sometimes the customer is harming other customers and costing the company way too much money.Verizon, and every other company, has a right to refuse service to abusive people.
On the Content issue:
If Verizon receives several legit complaints from customers about NARAL “spam” texting, I think Verizon has every right to suspend business with NARAL.That is NOT content censorship, that is just good business.
Frankly I’m sick to death of others trying to force their info, agenda, etc on me. If I want to seek out their info that’s fine, but don’t force me to spend my time deleting it on my cell phone, my home phone, and my computer. Spam on any form of communication is about as irritating as it gets.
Isn’t it bad enough we have to endure TV and radio advertising? I don’t want it in every aspect of my life, please!
“Don’t be fooled by Net Neutrality. The internet is doing fine as it is and there is no danger. Net Neutrality gives the government the power over the Internet. Right now it doesn’t have it. That is why content flows freely through the Internet.”
Joe, the idea behind Net Neutrality is not to change anything. Right now the only control the government has over the program it created is regulating content like child porn. The telecoms want to change the rules so they can run the wires like the railroad company ran the tracks.
As we’ve seen with Verizon they are very interested in controlling the content. Previously the same companies that oppose net neutrality have been involved in illegally listening in on people’s communications. They are trying to get Congress to rewrite laws so they can’t be held liable for violating the laws.
Now if you are worried about bytes clogging up the “tubes” then the FCC could have opened up the white spaces so companies could provide free high speed internet to the entire nation. Naturally this was shot down as the telecommunication companies don’t want the competition. The same companies that are against net neutrality are the same ones who lobby hard against free wi-fi with promises of low prices and better service. Every time they’ve won they have never delivered on their promises, but we should trust them by handing over the entire network to their greedy hands? I don’t think so.
Get rid of your phone.Problem solved.
JR,I felt exactly the way you do about cell phones. Then someone gave me one about a year ago. I don’t use it much, and only about a half-dozen people have my cell number, but it’s been quite nice to have that extra bit of security- like when I had car trouble on the highway and had to call AAA. I have prepaid service, and am still using the $25 worth of minutes I bought in April. It’s been a good deal!
PS. Texting costs more, so I don’t text. besides, it makes my thumbs sore!
Mary,I’m very careful who I give information to; as a result, I get very little phone or internet spam. Unfortunately I do get about a rainforest a week of snail spam.
I used to have one of those emergency phone/radio things in the trunk of my car – but I think a car wash attendant lay claim to it. :)
I have no use for a cell phone or anything that ties me down no matter where I go. I suppose if I was in an emergency or readiness type of job where lives or property depended on me, it would be quite useful.
However, I’m not becoming one of the many who have the cellphone welded to their ear and can’t seem to make a decision without it.
Or be the one who is constantly pressing that cellphone up to their ear while driving one handed down the road with that “eyes looking down at the floor” look on their face.
Kans,A cell phone ties you down only as much as you let it. don’t give out your number, and there’s no law that says you have to answer it, but it’s real handy if you’ve blown a transmission in the middle of the night on K-42 about 10mi from the nearest town.
Jed?
I did not know you could do that. I though you had to subscribe to a service provider. Do you mean you can just buy a phone and then a card with minutes and then refill that card? That WOULD be handy for me travelling and for my widowed mom when she is out and about on her own.
All cell phones are without service provider to start with, but by law the phones has to be able to connect to 911.No service providers is needed, all other communication is thru service providers.
Walmart sells something called a “track phone” — coverage is bad but you can prepay on it, no bills are sent, just buy cards.
Oldest daughter works for TMobil, she set my youngest daughter up with a prepaid plan (again, no bill) Coverage is GREAT, and we don’t have to worry about the 11 year old running up expensive bills.
We buy her $10 or $20 worth of minutes, and tell he she better save some minutes for emergencies.
When she doesnt obey the rules, well NO PHONE! (Dont have to take it from her, we just don’t buy any more minutes.)
JR,$39.95 at Walmart. Mine is T-Mobil, but they have other providers you can get refill cards for.
Pall,$10 worth of minutes for an 11yr old girl? That’s cruel and unusual punishment!
JR,Also, you can refill your Mom’s phone by credit/debit card over the phone.The phone that came with the prepay deal I got is a little brick-shaped Nokia with a surprising number of bell and whistles +$10 in minutes. Does everythig I need and then some- pretty good for $39.95!
JedShe babysits for older sister, does odd jobs for mother.
But yes, I am cold and cruel, in her eyes. If I bought her $100 a week, and never complained, I am SURE she would burn up every minute and still go without service much of the time!
I think phones are primarily for business and emergencies.
She does have use of MY land line, when she is over here.
You guys don’t want to know my mobile phone bill.
Let’s just say I’m up in the $100 range. But it’s for my work and I use it so frequently, including text messages (that’s how I receive information from my employer), that a basic plan isn’t for me. Of course my company pays for my bill, but I’m almost to the Blackberry range. Not yet! But I feel it coming.
I work in the cell phone industry. I repair and maintain the sites you see with the familiar triangle antenna towers. I have a total of 7 cell phones- 2 work and 5 family phones. All of us have 2 work phones because the sites we work in do not have land lines. They used to but the company removed them years ago. So when they go down, if there is not a nearby neighbouring site with overlap coverage- which is often the case in exurban and rural areas- we cannot talk on our own network. So we also carry the phones of one of our competitors as they do ours.
My family plan is almost $200 a month for 5 phones.
“”"Sigh…
Yeah well I guess that figures. I remember when customer service was as you need it and not as they choose to provide it to you based on ideology or the hold time for the next operator in India.”"”"
When you call our company, you will speak to somebody in Chicago, Dallas or Atlanta.
“”"”Walmart sells something called a “track phone” — coverage is bad but you can prepay on it, no bills are sent, just buy cards.
Oldest daughter works for TMobil, she set my youngest daughter up with a prepaid plan (again, no bill) Coverage is GREAT, and we don’t have to worry about the 11 year old running up expensive bills.”"”
When it comes to prepaid, Trac Phone is a rip off! The best plan for cards is really TMobile. After you occur $100 in cards, you get Gold Rewards in which you get bonus minutes that do not expire for a year. With the others you get no bonus minutes and have to pump in cash every 30 to 90 days to keep the account active. If you want a set monthly pre paid for a teenager, you can get a $45 plan from ATT that comes with 400 minutes, free nights and free weekends. The others I would stay away from.
Biggest problem with “Trac Phone” is that it doesnt work.Hardly any service at all.Even $1.00 is too much for a phone and plan that doesn’t work.