Blog

Welcome to the Free Press blog! We post several times a week on everything from Internet access to free speech to media mergers, so check back often to see what we’re up to.

The Series of Tubes: AT&T's Up to Its Old Tricks
Josh Levy
May 17, 2013
AT&T is at it again, blocking the open Internet and finding devious new ways to stomp on innovation, nickel-and-dime its customers and add to its ever-growing profits.
Have You No Sense of Decency, AT&T?
Amy Kroin
February 28, 2013
AT&T — always looking out for the little guy, always thinking of ways to ensure we get great service for affordable prices. Um. Not.
Yo, AT&T: Stop Bullying Us
Amy Kroin
January 25, 2013

AT&T customers are mad as hell — and by the looks of it, they’re not going to take it anymore.

Back in August, the company announced that it would block iPhone users from accessing the FaceTime video calling app unless they subscribed to more expensive voice-and-text plans. Bedlam ensued.
AT&T: More Barriers. In More Devices.
Josh Levy
January 18, 2013

AT&T is caving. Sort of.

When the iPhone 5 launched last year, Apple announced that FaceTime, its video calling application, would now work over mobile networks.

This was great news, especially for people who depend on video calling to communicate. But then AT&T blocked its customers from using FaceTime over its network.
Deck the Halls With Internet Freedom
Josh Levy
December 20, 2012
2012 was a huge year for Internet freedom. We stopped SOPA and PIPA. We forced AT&T to relent when it blocked the FaceTime video-calling app. We stopped the march toward privacy-killing cybersecurity legislation. And we put forward a vision of Internet freedom for all.
In Your FaceTime, AT&T
Josh Levy
November 14, 2012
In a major about-face, AT&T has decided to give more iPhone users access to mobile FaceTime without forcing them to upgrade to more expensive plans. But our work isn’t over yet. If we keep pushing, we can get AT&T to open up FaceTime to everyone.
AT&T's FaceTime Blocking: There's a Complaint for That
Josh Levy
September 18, 2012

Last week, Apple unveiled the iPhone 5 and with it, its updated mobile operating system, iOS 6. While Apple fans were busy inhaling details like the new screen size, better camera lens and thinner body, Free Press made sure people knew about another feature: AT&T’s intent to block mobile FaceTime for iPhone and iPad users.
AT&T's FaceTime Blocking Puts the Screws to Its Deaf Customers
Brendan Gramer
September 11, 2012
AT&T’s FaceTime blocking is especially frustrating to me. I am profoundly deaf. For me and my family, mobile FaceTime offers the promise of a seamless, one-touch communications solution that will allow me to communicate in my natural language, American Sign Language.
AT&T’s FaceTime Face Plant
Chancellar Williams
August 24, 2012

For the last couple of days I’ve been reveling in the comments section of AT&T’s Public Policy Blog.
AT&T: Pay Me, Screw Net Neutrality
Craig Aaron
August 21, 2012

From electricity to earmuffs, once you buy a product or service from a company, it shouldn't be any of their business how you choose to use it.

The power company doesn't say you can't use the energy-saving features on your new refrigerator unless you buy more electricity, and your grocer doesn't make you buy an extra loaf of bread if you stop purchasing potato chips.