NEWS: Verizon: No Fetus Texting!

POLITICS: Verizon: No Fetus Texting!

The young kids today love to text message. This has caused political action groups to start text-messaging programs to get their message out. For the most part, the politicians and advocacy groups that use texts are liberal. The reason for that is because conservatives are usually too stupid to understand modern technology and they are poor, often only possessing an AM radio.

The National Right to Life Committee, an anti-abortion group, does not have anything to do with text messages. But their counterpart, Naral Pro-Choice America has a very active text-messaging program. Except on Verizon, because the company has rejected Naral’s request to set up a text-messaging program. Turns out that Verizon doesn't allow “controversial or unsavory” text messages.

PLZ keep ABortIN LEGZ. 4EAE KEWL

Wow, I kind of get what Verizon is saying. That may be the most controversial and unsavory thing I have ever typed. My fingers need a bleach bath. If I had actually texted that, Verizon may have gotten AIDS.

Yet, Verizon has no obligation to accept every political action group that comes along. The First Amendment limits governments but private companies can do whatever the hell they want. What would stop Verizon from restricting text messages, is a threat by all their customers to drop the company if they did not change their policy. But that will never happen, because we live in America, home of the lazy complainer.

This is a very odd decision for a company to make, however. Verizon has decided to forgo profits for…what? So that people won’t communicate “controversial” messages? What the fuck is that? They are a communications company, whose sole purpose is to provide people ways to communicate and to make boat loads of cash. They shouldn’t give a shit what those communications are. And yet they do. This is the scary side of our massive corporate controlled world. This is why so many people are concerned about Net Neutrality.

Just a bit. Fortunately other wireless companies have accepted the Naral text program. Their customers can get messages from Naral, like this one.

But Verizon customers, who are paying the company to provide them with wireless service, will not get any text messages. Even if they want them. Thankfully, we live in a free market world. All they have to do is break their contract, pay the massive fee and then sign up with another company. That way they can punish Verizon by giving them a big check. It’s the free market!

For the record, Verizon has already backed down on this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21011328/

I would not appreciate spam texts of anything but at least we know where they stand on the issue.

Could explain some of my "problems" with my internet (Verizon)

I personally do not think that my phone number should be given to anybody anywhere for advertising purposes or to spread any sort of message at all. It is an assault on the senses every minute of every day. It's the reason I don't watch TV. Now even my video games have advertising IN GAME. Fuck this; I don't want anybody pushing me to subscribe to their agenda.

Next thing you know, the administration is going to get a record of Naral's message logs, track down all the customers that opened the messages, and blackmail them into writing their congressman about their righteous and quiet anger over Roe vs. Wade.

You sign up for updates.

Verizon decides it would rather reap the profits of text messaging than police its users

First, this must violate freedom of speech from some angle, no?? not without NET NEUTRALITY being secured?

Second -- this is a DAMN GOOD REASON not to buy an iphone
APPLE should speak out against Verizon, and use this to negate their deal for exclusive rights to their phones!

[yeah, not a legal scholar but pretty pissed!]

Was it really that hard to understand? LIke I'm going to write a pro cell phone spam article. Get a grip people...

iphones are at&t.

Freckle said

Go ahead and don't buy an iPhone if you want...

It's not going to change AT&T's position on Network Neutrality either way. There would have to be an outright, coordinated boycott of AT&T's services to make a serious impact. The best way to get Network Neutrality into law, right now, is too contribute a few bucks to lobbying groups like SaveTheInternet.com and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Apple's always been a bit of a more progressive corporation anyways, you'd be affecting their revenue more than AT&T's. (But they are still slaves to their corporate interests, so I doubt you'll see Apple taking on AT&T over Network Neutrality).

i love my iphone

That's not Emily Litella. That's Rozanne Rozannadanna.

If I start getting spam texts from anyone I'm burning everything I own and living in a cave.

Right. This is not about spamming. You would sign up for it. sigh.

Man, I hate spam. Verizon is totally right to prevent spam from making it onto my cellphone. I'm switching to Verizon right now.

(cut to tear rolling down my cheek)

Verizon sent some shit out in the mail about changes to the way they share your information to outside companies and partners.

If you are a Verizon customer, you should have already received it. If not, contact them and ask. I cannot recall off the top of my head whether you have to opt-in or opt-out. But if it's opt-out, you will definitely have to look into doing so, or they will be sharing your info for spammy purposes.

Just sayin'.

Nice to know my work is appreciated.

OMG, INBD

That was hilarious Zarth!!

seriously,
savetheinternet.com is a good source and cites both AT&T and Verizon as violating consumer right to neutraility -- even if Verizon might be caving in now! thanks .KUNGFOO

OK so....

my bad


_poptard_ said

RIP Gilda.

i don't really care what the message is . what I don't need is spam messages on my phone, it's not like there isn't enough on the internet.

What part of "a service you sign up for" do you not understand?

Seriously, I'm curious as to how you could interpret this to be about spam messages.

^ ^ ^ ^
Fuck, I signed up for SG and now I'm seeing these spam messages from joker_.

Should have mentioned that fact in your article. Sigh. Besides, you would always get that initial "sign up by replying to this text message", uh, text message. And that would piss me off if I got that shit being an evil pro-lifer and all. I think there are other ways to get your information out. Thanks Verizon for working for me!