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AT&T Changes Terms Of Service After Outcry

Company adds 'freedom of expression' language

by Martin H. Bosworth
ConsumerAffairs.com

October 11, 2007 

Section 5.1 of AT&T's new terms of service now reads "AT&T respects freedom of expression and believes it is a foundation of our free society to express differing points of view. AT&T will not terminate, disconnect or suspend service because of the views you or we express on public policy matters, political issues or political campaigns."

An earlier version had been criticized for supposedly giving the company the right to cancel subscribers' service if their conduct "[tended] to damage the name or reputation of AT&T, or its parents, affiliates and subsidiaries."

AT&T said the provision was neither new nor unique, pointing to similar terms by fellow telecoms such as Verizon that gave the company the right to cancel customers' service at any time, for any reason, without notice. AT&T said the language was meant to prevent the service from being used by child pornographers, spammers, and proponents of "hate" sites with racist or violent content.

Friendlier face

AT&T has taken pains of late to smooth out hiccups in its public image, following criticism of its central roles in the twin controversies of net neutrality and the NSA warrantless surveillance program.

AT&T opposes legislation protecting the principle of net neutrality, as do most other large telecoms. They argue that such regulations could inhibit the company's ability to offer top-level Internet services to higher-paying customers and clients.

Although AT&T has said it would not block access to content or favor its own offerings at the exclusion of others, the company was heavily criticized for censoring Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder's comments criticizing President Bush during a live Webcast.

AT&T has also downplayed its role in assisting the NSA's surveillance program, which enabled the security agency to tap the phone conversations of millions of Americans without obtaining a warrant or authorization.

The company has never publicly admitted its role in the program, but has pushed to dismiss lawsuits filed against it, claiming that any assistance it may have rendered was performed in the name of national security.

The Bush administration is calling for retroactive immunity from prosecution to be granted to the telecom companies that aided the NSA in the operation.

AT&T Wireless recently announced that it would no longer charge California customers for calls made after their cellphone was lost or stolen, as part of a settlement agreement with California's Attorney General's office. The office investigated after receiving complaints from consumers that AT&T would not credit them for charges made on their phones, even with documented proof that the phone was stolen.

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