Yesterday, Google and Verizon announced a shared Internet policy, in an attempt to define Net Neutrality. This seems to be a fist step for the two to change the debate of Net Neutrality form “open access to the Internet” to “open access if you have a wired connection.” What is missing is that while they have stated in their policy that wireless broadband is different this is a bit of a smoke screen. It is true that this uses wireless spectrum that is a finite resources but this is used for the last leg of the journey. If I request a webpage on my phone, it does not magically radiate through the air to my phone for the whole journey. It is delivered from the web server where it is hosted and travels the Internet backbone to my phone companies wired network.  Until finally, it launches into the air from the nearest cell tower, likely by way of a satellite first, to my phone. It is the last leg of the journey that is wireless after it traverses the wired Internet. So, by extension they are seeking to regulate wired traffic, even if by proxy so to speak.

The type of actions that are implied by this policy indicate “evil” to put it in Google terms. Google has a motto of “do no evil” but in this case they are precisely targeting the dark side. Verizon and other communication companies have tried to tread these waters before and it has not set well with the public. When this policy was announced it was under the guise of moving the debate forward. I think that they are searching for the correct words to guide the public down the slippery slope, that  side steps the principles of Net Neutrality. I hope and encourage  the public become involved in the debate because we cannot leave this in the hands of the corporate interests.

There was a big buzz over the alleged talks between Google and Verizon. I will have to admit that I was quite nervous as Google has become one of the largest holders of personal data and if they decide that profit is the only motivator it could get messy. The NY Times original broke the story that Verizon was going to grant priority to Google data on they network. And if it is not true as Google has claimed on Twitter, then where did they get their information? More and more it seems, the number stories that are published based on rumor and conjecture is ever increasing.

As a consumer we need to be ever vigilant to address the modern challenges that society presents. If Google houses great pile of our personal information, we can become exposed at any time either by Google’s actions or lack of action. We must also guard against misinformation that is propagated in the media. Many news outlets echoed the Google/Verizon story and had Google not denied the charges, it may have spiraled into a tech news frenzy. Net Neutrality is not a subject that the media or public should take lightly. This time it looks as if the story is false but maybe next time we may not be as fortunate.