The Verizon flip-flop on censoring legitimate text messages from NARAL, then reversing and saying it is ok for NARAL to send the messages is a perfect example of the testing of the waters going on by large communication corporations on the social boundaries contained in the concept of Net Neutrality.

This quote from Wyn Hoag, a Verizon subscriber best speaks to the influence we as citizens can have on corporate policies limiting free speech .

(quoted from NY Times)

“I’m a supporter of abortion rights, but I could be a Christian right
person and still be in favor of free speech,” Mr. Hoag said. “If they
think they can censor what’s on my phone, they’ve got another thing
coming.

This is just an example of why there is diligence needed to watchdog censoring decisions such as this across all platforms using the Internet (including such varieties such as SMS / Text Messaging). If these actions become more prevalent a clearinghouse listing of censoring actions taken by communications corporations against individuals or organizations should be created. It will clearly show the case that freedom of speech is at risk if true Net Neutrality covering all forms of communication on the Internet do not honor our right to free speech.

This occurrence also reveals a look into the other border to free speech that is getting crossed regularly. The Verizon spokesman, Jeffrey Nelson said the policy had been developed "before text messaging protections
such as spam filters adequately protected customers from unwanted
messages." This is another potential and present threat to Net Neutrality, the real world scenario when an automated "spam" filtering system filters out legitimate messages. The balance here between security/stability of email systems (by being able to block malicious incoming email) and freedom of speech gets trampled by automated systems given specific directives that block legitimate email.

The ability for inter-communication to be done between email service providers about deliverabllity issues of valid email rejected by automated routines should be mandatory. Many large corporations provide no avenue for request for correction of such a "technical mistake", you'd just be shut off at level 1 tech support. Recently some major providers like AOL and Yahoo have provided postmaster tech support to address issues like this, but the reality is that many of the automated handling policies to get valid email unblocked are not immediate, thereby further effecting communication reliability.

The boundaries being pressed by communications corporations against Net Neutrality are happening in many directions, stay vigilant and free speech will survive.