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Facebook Criticizes Google and Verizon's Net Neutrality Plans

by Amar Toor on August 12, 2010 at 10:50 AM

facebook logo with net neutrality insigniaGoogle and Verizon have already taken plenty of heat for their recently unveiled joint-proposal on how to apply Net neutrality ideology to regulatory policy. Now, Facebook has joined the chorus of boos by formally announcing its opposition to the plan. As the New York Times reports, the social network is raising concerns about any plan that would exempt wireless carriers from Net neutrality rules, as suggested by Google and Verizon. "Facebook continues to support principles of Net neutrality for both landline and wireless networks," the company said in a statement issued yesterday. "Preserving an open Internet that is accessible to innovators -- regardless of their size or wealth -- will promote a vibrant and competitive marketplace where consumers have ultimate control over the content and services delivered through their Internet connections."

Other online heavyweights have also spoken out against the proposal, although few have been as forthright as Facebook. eBay, for example, acknowledged that the policy could "stifle ground-up innovation," but said it was willing to review Google and Verizon's suggestions. Paul Misener, Amazon's vice president of global policy, was similarly diplomatic when explaining his company's concerns "that this proposal appears to condone services that could harm consumer Internet access." Google, for its part, insists that its proposal doesn't violate the pillars of Net neutrality philosophy, and claims that it's still committed to maintaining an open Internet, where innovation can thrive. As chief executive Eric Schmidt says, "The next two people in a garage really do need an open Internet." [From: New York Times]

Tags: amazon, amazon.com, eBay, EricSchmidt, facebook, google, NetNeutrality, NetNeutralityDebate, policy, top, Verizon, VerizonWireless, wireless

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