AT&T openly says it may filter Internet content
According to Brad Stone over at The New York Times, AT&T openly stated at CES that they may start filtering Internet content. This is a very big announcement because most ISPs (even Comcast) have up until this point claimed to be net neutral.
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.
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 commentsGaynellJan 14th 2008 1:17AM
If I don't like it, I will simply turn it off!!! It is that easy. {And I won't like it even though I don't go to sights that I would care for anyone to see and I don't send email that the earth would shatter if other people saw it}
MikeJan 14th 2008 12:43AM
Guess I'll be paying ATT that early termination fee for phone and wireless internet service.
wombatJan 14th 2008 12:54AM
This is what you'd expect from a company that voluntarily submitted phone and email records to the government without even being asked. Im sure the neocons and the black agencies were happy about this "unsolicited gift"....didn't even have to ask for it and the subscribers weren't told. Sounds like "Big Brother Behavior" to me.
MiguelitoesJan 14th 2008 12:55AM
Wouldn't it be great if they could filter out all the spam!
DougJan 14th 2008 12:55AM
AT&T YOU WELL LOOSE MY BISNESS AND YOU WELL LOOSE MONEY, STOP TRYING TO RUN EVERYONE`S LIFE,IT IS BAD ENOUGHT THAT THE GOVNERMENT IS DOING IT.EVERYONE NEED`S TO STOP TRYING TO RUN EVERYONE`S LIFE WE ARE SUSPOES TO BE A FREE COUNTRY,LOL.U.S.A FREEDOM FOR EVER?
DougJan 14th 2008 1:01AM
HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME AND WHO IS TAPED IN TO MY COMPUTER,THIS IS A FED.AFINCE,18537264-9841372
PETERSSUITEJan 22nd 2008 3:00AM
I HAVE AOL-WHY ISN'T ANYONE SAYING ANYTHING ABOUT THEIR CENSORING/FILTERING WHAT THEY DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW??????
KatJan 14th 2008 1:32AM
When it was SBC, the service at least worked 90% of the time. Then it became AT&T, and I had to hold my breath to see if I could connect or not. I switched to cable, and I tell everyone AT&T is CRAP.
DONALDJan 14th 2008 2:19PM
AT&T is one of the major corporations that have lead to the ruin of America. What the hell is AT&T afraid of? TRUTH!
AmelieJan 14th 2008 3:08AM
Yet another reason why some degree of regulation of business is a good idea--when corporations get too big, they become the tail wagging the dog of our democracy. I don't want AT&T--whom I dropped because they couldn't provide consistent service or competent repairpeople--wielding its corporate ineptitude to filter out content. Incompetent, bloated corporate bureaucracies never get anything done properly, never act in the consumer's best interest, never act in the democracy's best interest, and suits shouldn't be making calls on content suitability (yep, pun intended). Yet another reason why I never, never, NEVER vote Republican!
KellyJan 14th 2008 5:05AM
I have AT&T and I already got an e-mail on my new phone that I didn't like. It was porn. Good for AT&T
FredJan 14th 2008 5:52AM
I use ATT, and I agree MA Bell is back! If ATT wants to filter my internet then I don't need them. I have a hard enough time finding some of the information I need the way it is. Another phone company and internet service is in order if they start filtering my access.
EdJan 14th 2008 8:13AM
Just another vote for open markets. AT&T needs to butt out. Either provide web access or go away
media wizJan 14th 2008 1:05PM
They really should have kept that Bell monster dismembered.
So now we pay them to filter our communications -- This is only the tip of the iceberg you know, a sign or more to come.
Jessica & BrookeJan 15th 2008 12:25AM
Dude people should be able to choose where they wanna go when they wanna go there. We don't need people basically telling us what we can and can't do. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE PARENTS.
Power to the people!!