Is Google Losing It's Neutrality?

In terms of the free flow of information on the Internet, net neutrality is one of the most important issues of our day. People around the world depend on a high quality broadband network to transport everything from ideas to trade on a scheme of 1's and 0's. The threat of unequal access to this network has been objected to from those on both sides of the political spectrum, save for the network providers that wish to charge extra for those that want to speed up the system's performance for themselves. Google was supposed to be above that malaise of the corporate world and had supported net neutrality in the past. Now it seems they are reversing their position.

From The Wall Street Journal:

Google Inc. has approached major cable and phone companies that carry Internet traffic with a proposal to create a fast lane for its own content, according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Google has traditionally been one of the loudest advocates of equal network access for all content providers.

At risk is a principle known as network neutrality: Cable and phone companies that operate the data pipelines are supposed to treat all traffic the same -- nobody is supposed to jump the line.[...]

One major cable operator in talks with Google says it has been reluctant so far to strike a deal because of concern it might violate Federal Communications Commission guidelines on network neutrality.

"If we did this, Washington would be on fire," says one executive at the cable company who is familiar with the talks, referring to the likely reaction of regulators and lawmakers.

Oh it wouldn't just be hot in Washington, the whole entire country would be enraged by such a practice. This is what the net was intended to be and Google knows that fully well. They should be ashamed at even entertaining the notion that the web search, etc. behemoth should get special privileges online. Microsoft and Yahoo have already caved, but if Google follows them, they'll be helping to remake the Internet as a place for and by the wealthy, with everyone else in the backseat, just as we are in the tangible corporate world.

Update: Glad to hear this, Google offers a forceful denial of the WSJ story.