An open letter to Google

August 6, 12:08 p.m. | OpenWeb

 

According to the New York Times, Google and Verizon are in talks that would effectively kill the entire idea of net neutrality that Google had been working to support. I wrote a letter to founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, as well as CEO Eric Schmidt asking them to reconsider. They've gone on the record saying that these reports aren't true, that it was all a misunderstanding. While that definitely jives more with what they've said in the past, this is just too important of an issue not to take some sort of action. If this is something you feel even a little worried about, please sign the petition here: https://secure.freepress.net/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=470. I looked for their email addresses, but couldn't find them. If you have the addresses, post them in the comments.
 
Text of the letter: 
 
As a web developer and internet addict, I've always been a huge fan of the things Google does for its users. From App Engine to Chrome to Gmail to Android, your company has released innovative products that I use and enjoy every day. With net neutrality, Google has always been a champion for the rights of the user. You have always defended the internet as an open space for innovation and the free spread of information. Your company has been one of the few heavyweights that used its immense power in D.C. for preserving the benefits of the information revolution, not just for padding your bottom line.
 
So, when I read the report that you had been working with Verizon to effectively end net neutrality, it didn't seem to be consistent with your past actions. I was willing to believe that this is just someone misconstruing the facts, until I read a report by Bloomberg that suggested the negotiations were only focused on the mobile space. That you supported net neutrality on landline connections, but felt different rules applied over the air.
 
This is simply unacceptable. As I'm sure you know from the massive success of Android (a platform I just switched to after selling my iPhone to buy an HTC Aria), we will all be using mobile to connect to the internet in the near future. Mobile is the new landline, and deserves the same protection. Once again, it seems more consistent with your company policy to believe that you do realize this, that all of this hype comes from simple misunderstandings. That said, the risk to the internet as a whole is too great to not write this letter. We are on the cusp of losing basic freedoms that have become essential over the last 20 years. The openness of the internet that permitted the rise of startups like yourself stands to be destroyed by a congress that doesn't understand the issue and telecom companies that want to take advantage of that. You've previously demonstrated that you stand on the right side of that conflict. Please, stay there. Don't be evil.





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