Text messages not unlimited on THIS network
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The ability is there, but not the permission. Verizon has set a limit on what messages go over their phones.
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.
This stopped me in my tracks. It almost falls into the ‘man bites dog’ news category.Â
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.
But note, people still have to sign up to receive these messages from the pro-abortion group.
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.
And some folks are plenty upset about that.
“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.â€
And…
Nancy Keenan, Naral’s president, said Verizon’s decision interfered with political speech and activism.
How troubling would it be to these people if pro-life activists’ messages were rejected? Â
A spokesman for Verizon said the decision turned on the subject matter of the messages and not on Naral’s position on abortion. “Our internal policy is in fact neutral on the position,†said the spokesman, Jeffrey Nelson. “It is the topic itself†— abortion — “that has been on our list.â€
However…
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.â€
While they no doubt continue to take some heat for this legitimate decision, consider this key point:
Messages urging political action are generally thought to be at the heart of what the First Amendment protects. But the First Amendment limits government power, not that of private companies like Verizon.
Here’s the upshot, according to the New York Times:
In rejecting the Naral program, Verizon appeared to be acting against its economic interests. It would have received a small fee to set up the program and additional fees for messages sent and received.
But with the pro-life activism at unprecedented levels right now in America, Verizon just may realize a significant economic boost if they stick to their policy, and enough people become aware of it. Thanks, Carolyn, for helping make people aware of it.
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I’ve sent Verizon a thank you, and sent an email to all FOCUS to do the same. Thanks Sheila!
~Paul D.