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AT&T openly says it may filter Internet content
So much for being a wide-open pathway to the Information Superhighway. AT&T is reportedly talking to technology companies and the RIAA/MPAA regarding the implication of digital fingerprinting techniques at the networking level. Our friends at civil rights organizations are opposing such measures by implying that they impede on free speech. Some are going as far as to say that these legal provisions stop uses such as parody.
When asked about how their customers would respond to network level filtering, AT&T stated: "Whatever we do has to pass muster with consumers and with policy standards. There is going to be a spotlight on it."
Yeah, there will definitely be a spotlight. We say: Let the free market reign.
Comments
75
Subscribe to commentslizzyJan 27th 2008 5:04PM
SBC Yahoo does not work on many machines and it is a YAHOO issue. A MANUAL download can be done by them if a customer asks them to do so.
Is my understanding if a customer connects to the Internet using ATT/SBC/YAHOO any thing coming thru their lines will be 'policed' and in my opinion that is censorship and should not be legal.
When will the final decision be made or is it one of those hey we do it all the time for the last umpteen years.... am so tired of snoops...
ToddJan 9th 2008 11:33AM
Well let's revisit this statement by the deathstar after Comcast gets out of court:
http://www.downloadsquad.com/2008/01/08/comcast-could-receive-hefty-fcc-fine-for-throttling-bit-torrent/
KamalJan 9th 2008 11:43AM
One more reason to quit att and find another provider.
JimJan 13th 2008 10:47PM
Freedom of choice.... the American way. My porblem with AT&T is when they say "must pass muster," who is setting the standard to declare "passing" and what is the level required to pass. Things were a lot simplier before all these earth shaking decisions had to be made ! I vote for the 60's, when you could make a call to a "pay phone" number.
rodan32Jan 9th 2008 11:47AM
I agree exactly with what you said: "Let the free market reign." There are actually folks out there who will pay for filtered internet from the ISP; and there are guys (like me) who will find an ISP who will guarantee they're NOT filtering my content.
I think this is something the market can sort out.
EvanJan 9th 2008 12:03PM
I live in a rural community with AT&T service. AT&T is one of two high-speed options here. The other option caps usage at 750 MB a month. I could use that in a week.
I do absolutely think that this is wrong in every way. However, AT&T has such a total stranglehold on the telecommunications market that for us, AT&T is our only real option besides dial-up. So when you say "Let the free market reign," it's really a misnomer. The telecommunications market is not free, regardless of what the FCC would have us believe. Until the government realizes they've recreated Ma Bell, it's going to stay that way.
kingkool68Jan 9th 2008 12:10PM
I'm so glad I don't have ATT. Makes Comcast look a little better.
Jerry D. NealJan 9th 2008 12:21PM
I have ATT. I signed up with SBC in 2003, and ATT bought them. I have had HUGE problems ever since I signed up. To me, this is just one more nail in the coffin.Yahoo! Maps now totally sucks. As if this wasn't enough (a friend of of mine with ATT recently had me remove Yahoo! Instant Messenger because she didn't want to use it: she didn't want people to know she was online and send her messages. As of just MINUTES ago, she now has Yahoo! Instant Messenger whether she wants it or not--doing EXACTLY what she didn't want done. And so do I--even though I'm running openSUSE 10.3, which Yahoo! Instant Messenger won't run on! It's now integrated into my Yahoo! email. I really wish there was an Open-Source alternative to ATT: I'd switch in a heartbeat.
jeremyJan 9th 2008 12:29PM
at&t didn't buy sbc, sbc bought at&t...
GaynellJan 14th 2008 12:24AM
use ATT as a internet connection and then download the FREE AOL 9.1 software. It has AIM instant messenger and you have the choice not to be seen! This is what I do. You only have to pay for ATT services. {I do pay for AOL but only becasue I wanted to keep dial up for vacations and I wanted the customer support, it is offered free. }
GaynellJan 14th 2008 12:38AM
Use ATT or another Internet Service for your connection and go to www.aol.com and downloawd the FREE 9.1 SOFTWARE
Eric J.Jan 9th 2008 12:25PM
I may be wrong, but I believe this kind of filtering could open ATT up to liability for illegal acts that occur across their network - they'd be abandoning their "Common Carrier" immunity.
RobertJan 9th 2008 5:19PM
I use ATT for my cell service (only because they bought cingular) I know they are not the same "company" but thats enough to get me to NOT renew my contract in Aug.
Can anyone say T Mobile or Verizon?
PaulaJan 13th 2008 11:14PM
T-MOBILE ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!1
BSJan 9th 2008 12:46PM
I won't be able to drop them fast enough if they do that crap!!
dukemangJan 9th 2008 3:23PM
Hey, I know. Why doesn't ATT prove that filtering is a good thing with a pilot project to filter known telemarketers from my phone. When I stop getting calls from people who ignore the Don't Call List then I will let them touch my Internet connection. Until then it just the first step toward charging content providers to NOT filter/throttle their sites.
salomeJan 13th 2008 10:00PM
eeeeeeeeeeeeXcellent thought dukeman !
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:
Hey, I know. Why doesn't ATT prove that filtering is a good thing with a pilot project to filter known telemarketers from my phone. When I stop getting calls..........etc
brianJan 9th 2008 5:01PM
It's too bad that AT&T is the only high speed internet provider in my area.
http://www.hategetsmeoff.com/
Keith BJan 9th 2008 6:03PM
I have Verizon, which is one of two high speed choices in my area. If I hear that they are going to do that; exactly, dropped. And I agree with Evan, Ma Bell is BACK.
sgJan 9th 2008 6:26PM
I agree, AT&T has a stranglehold on many people already. Allowing them to do whatever they want and let the market sort it out is misguided. This humorously makes my point:
The New AT&T (Colbert Report)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2004785759717366066