Verizon Wireless says no to abortion rights messages

[ghengis]

interesting enough to read it .

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Verizon Wireless has rejected a request from an abortion rights advocacy group to set up text message alerts for subscribers who signed up for the information, but a company spokesman said on Thursday it was reviewing its text messaging policy.

The second-largest U.S. mobile phone carrier said it had not allowed NARAL Pro-Choice America to set up a text messaging alert system that would let its subscribers sign up for notices with a number known as a short code. The decision was based on a company policy that denies short codes for what it deems controversial issues, according to Verizon Wireless spokesman Jim Gerace. But he said Verizon was evaluating the policy and may announce changes as early as Thursday. "We're reviewing it with an eye towards changing it because it's a dusty old policy meant to protect our customers from unwanted spam," Gerace said.He did not say how any policy change on short codes would be applied to NARAL's request.

Verizon Wireless has provided short codes in few instances in the past, such as a request from the Red Cross to solicit donation pledges in the event of a natural disaster. Other major U.S. wireless carriers have agreed to allow NARAL to set up a group text messaging system, the New York Times reported on Thursday.

http://www.reuters.com/article/techn...33012620070927

[kcrummey]

I work with Verizon Wireless' corporate communications group; want to make sure you've see this morning's statement from Jeffrey Nelson, spokesperson for Verizon Wireless:

“The decision to not allow text messaging on an important, though sensitive, public policy issue was incorrect, and we have fixed the process that led to this isolated incident.

“Upon learning about this situation, senior Verizon Wireless executives immediately reviewed the decision and determined it was an incorrect interpretation of a dusty internal policy. That policy, developed before text messaging protections such as spam filters adequately protected customers from unwanted messages, was designed to ward against communications such as anonymous hate messaging and adult materials sent to children.

“Verizon Wireless is proud to provide services such as text messaging, which are being harnessed by organizations and individuals communicating their diverse opinions about issues and topics. We have great respect for this free flow of ideas and will continue to protect the ability to communicate broadly through our messaging service.”

[katy]

“Upon learning about this situation, senior Verizon Wireless executives immediately reviewed the decision and determined it was an incorrect interpretation of a dusty internal policy. That policy, developed before text messaging protections such as spam filters adequately protected customers from unwanted messages, was designed to ward against communications such as anonymous hate messaging and adult materials sent to children

Nice, its glad to see verizon is working along with other providers. And also , welcome to the forum.

[kcrummey]

thanks katy, glad to be here.....