CDT Statement on Google-Verizon Legislative Proposal for the Internet
Washington, DC – Today, the Center for Democracy & Technology released the following statement in regard to the joint open Internet proposal from Google and Verizon.
"On balance, the Google-Verizon legislative proposal falls short; it gives with one hand and takes with the other," said CDT President Leslie Harris. "Although it includes some key principles that should be an important part of any legislative proposal, the companies' plan puts wireless Internet service into a regulatory no-go zone and offers only toothless protection – a report to Congress – for the open Internet against the voracious expansion of so-called 'additional services,'" Harris said. "There is every reason to worry about the exceptions swallowing the rule."
There are some good principles here – the strong bar against FCC regulation of Internet content and applications, the presumption against prioritization, and at least the high-level notion that specialized services shouldn't squeeze out the Internet – but these alone cannot ensure an open Internet.
"A spotty proposal from two companies is no substitute for real action that serves the public interest," Harris said. "It is time for the FCC to step up and either issue rules or bring all parties – including the public interest – back to the negotiating table."
