FCC Asked to Stop Text Censoring

Consumer groups have banded together to lobby the FCC to prevent cellphone companies from blocking text messages, the Washington Post reports. The issue of carriers censoring messages from political groups and competing services has become the latest front in the net neutrality campaign. Consumers Union and other advocates are insisting that providers should deliver texts regardless of content.

In September, consumer advocates blasted Verizon for blocking texts from NARAL Pro-Choice America, and the carrier later reversed its decision. All five FCC commissioners have supported a ban on censoring texts but have not enforced it. The FCC has also hedged its bets on net neutrality, saying ISPs can regulate their networks so long as they refrain from discrimination. (More net neutrality stories.)