NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] Google, Verizon Deny Deal -- and Why I Have No Comment (For Now)
Google, Verizon Deny Deal -- and Why I Have No Comment (For Now)
http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000738.html
Greetings. A lot of people (including various media) have been
banging on my inbox and phone wondering why I haven't so far
specifically commented on the New York Times "Google/Verizon Internet
Deal" story ( http://bit.ly/bTYbBr [New York Times] ) -- and similar
articles in other publications -- and have been asking me for
immediate comments.
First, let's note here that as of this morning, Google has said that
the Times story is wrong ( http://bit.ly/cbFm6e [PCMag] ), and
Verizon has published a similar statement denying the reported deal
( http://bit.ly/9ntecn [Verizon Policy Blog] ).
In a previous note I acknowledged the usefulness of private
discussions in some related situations (so long as full transparency
is forthcoming), and my concern that the track record of many
"agreements" related to telecom is poor enough to engender
understandable skepticism in some quarters.
While I will continue to send through pointers to relevant news items
on the current Google/Verizon/FCC "Deal" accusations and denials, I
will have no substantive comment on them or the associated
implications (one way or another) until we actually have *solid facts*
about what is or isn't going on.
I do understand that it has become something of "de rigueur" for
analysts and commentators to write their essays before all the key
facts are available -- and we're already seeing some "End of the
Internet" stories blasting around related to this current controversy.
I'm really very uncomfortable with that approach, and in this case we
have essentially zero confirmed facts regarding the substance of the
talks in progress. If some observers wish to argue that the private
talks shouldn't be taking place at all that's one thing -- though as
mentioned above, I don't necessarily agree with that view.
I *will* comment when the facts are in.
But before any declarations of Internet Armageddon associated with
this story, I'd recommend that we at least wait until we know what the
hell we're talking about.
--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein (lauren@vortex.com)
http://www.vortex.com/lauren
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
Co-Founder, PFIR (People For Internet Responsibility): http://www.pfir.org
Co-Founder, NNSquad (Network Neutrality Squad): http://www.nnsquad.org
Founder, GCTIP (Global Coalition for Transparent Internet Performance):
http://www.gctip.org
Founder, PRIVACY Forum: http://www.vortex.com
Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenweinstein
Google Buzz: http://bit.ly/lauren-buzz