AT&T openly says it may filter Internet content

by Jason Harris Jan 9th 2008

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.

Tags: net neutrality, NetNeutrality

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

Todd said 11:33AM on 1-09-2008

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/

Kamal said 11:43AM on 1-09-2008

One more reason to quit att and find another provider.

Jim said 10:47PM on 1-13-2008

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.

rodan32 said 11:47AM on 1-09-2008

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.

Evan said 12:03PM on 1-09-2008

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.

kingkool68 said 12:10PM on 1-09-2008

I'm so glad I don't have ATT. Makes Comcast look a little better.

Jerry D. Neal said 12:21PM on 1-09-2008

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.

jeremy said 12:29PM on 1-09-2008

at&t didn't buy sbc, sbc bought at&t...

Gaynell said 12:24AM on 1-14-2008

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. }

Gaynell said 12:38AM on 1-14-2008

Use ATT or another Internet Service for your connection and go to www.aol.com and downloawd the FREE 9.1 SOFTWARE

Eric J. said 12:25PM on 1-09-2008

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.

BS said 12:46PM on 1-09-2008

I won't be able to drop them fast enough if they do that crap!!

dukemang said 3:23PM on 1-09-2008

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.

salome said 10:00PM on 1-13-2008

eeeeeeeeeeeeXcellent thought dukeman !
-----

:
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

brian said 5:01PM on 1-09-2008

It's too bad that AT&T is the only high speed internet provider in my area.

http://www.hategetsmeoff.com/

Robert said 5:19PM on 1-09-2008

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?

Paula said 11:14PM on 1-13-2008

T-MOBILE ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!1

Keith B said 6:03PM on 1-09-2008

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.

sg said 6:26PM on 1-09-2008

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

peter said 7:14PM on 1-09-2008

Wow, I think most isps filter content. I mean I am sure they have anti hacking programms installed and shut down your ip if you hack somewhere. Im pretty sure it happens, I put this up on my blog with extra comments, dugg, www.opentopix.com/topic/tech-news/at-t-will-start-filtering-net-content

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