dslreports logo
 story category
FCC States It Misplaced Around 600,000 Net Neutrality Comments

Just as net neutrality opponents were celebrating the claim that their outrage-o-matic form letter campaigns resulted in more FCC-filed comments than neutrality supporters, the FCC has announced that it somehow managed to lose roughly 600,000 net neutrality comments during processing. According to a blog post by the FCC, the agency says that the comments were misplaced due to the agency's "18-year-old Electronic Comment Filing system (ECFS)."

These aging systems resulted in FCC IT staffers having to "cobble solutions together MacGyver-style." More specifically:

quote:
In parsing the XML files in question, it appears that nearly 680,000 of the comments were not transferred successfully from ECFS to the XML files. This is due to a technical error involving Apache Solr, an open source tool the FCC used to produce the XML files. We plan to fix this problem by issuing a new set of XML files after the New Year with the full set of comments received during the reply period. Despite the fact that this group of comments was not transferred to the XML files, our review indicates that these files were uploaded to ECFS for public review.
The FCC says it will re-release a file with all of the neutrality comments included. It didn't take long for some Republican FCC staffers to claim this was part of a conspiracy to discredit net neutrality opponents:

view:
topics flat nest 

DaveRickmers
join:2011-07-19
Canyon Country, CA

DaveRickmers

Member

The Easter Bunny Stole the Free Market

There is no such thing as a free market unless it gets reset to zero every now and then. We need a new system, less destructive and more social. If the pigs get control of the internet the propaganda state will be complete.

JasonOD
@76.16.77.x

JasonOD

Anon

Re: The Easter Bunny Stole the Free Market

You mean the same free market that has brought you long distance rates damn near zero, crashing costs for bandwidth, cloud services, smartphones, computer hardware? Give me a break!

jux
@24.212.159.x

4 recommendations

jux

Anon

Re: The Easter Bunny Stole the Free Market

Many of the things you just listed are cheaper in third world countries than they are in the US.

Mr Pants
@212.159.59.x

Mr Pants

Anon

Re: The Easter Bunny Stole the Free Market

Cheaper: yes. More affordable: no.

You Lost
@172.56.5.x

You Lost to JasonOD

Anon

to JasonOD
You just lost.

Right
@206.51.179.x

Right to JasonOD

Anon

to JasonOD
Also the same market that brought us cable TV which has skyrocketed in price, terrible content/networks, lack of options, and almost universal hatred of cable companies... The last thing we need is the near monopolized ISP market to control data that most households depend on.
TheRogueX
join:2003-03-26
Springfield, MO

2 recommendations

TheRogueX to JasonOD

Member

to JasonOD
LD rates: should not exist at all in the modern world.
Crashing costs for bandwidth: Not passed on to the customers, who instead pay more per month *and* are threatened with caps constantly.
Cloud services: Instead of selling you hardware and software to do it yourself, we charge you monthly fees that end up costing way more than doing it yourself would cost. Oh, and the security of your data is questionable.
Smartphones: Four words: Data rates and caps. Additionally, they are priced at way more than they're worth (iPhone 6 profit margin was 62%) and they release new versions every year and hype them so much to keep their profit going... it's a huge drain on people's wallets AND a massive ecological problem.
Computer Hardware: While costs did plummet from the 90s, they've been pretty level over the past decade.

The "free market" is a sham, it's a term thrown around by people who hate regulation and/or anything else that gets in the way of them making a profit by any means necessary. May I remind you that the market used to be much more free; people worked 7 days a week, 12+ hours per day, for crap pay. Children were put to work; they and women were not guaranteed a minimum wage, so they could be paid as much or as little as a business owner wanted. Safety was a joke; people were maimed or killed constantly. Attempting to bargain for more pay or better working conditions was criminal.

Lately, supporters of the "free market" have been winning, and look what it's cost us: they're getting richer while the poor get poorer and the middle class basically disappears. When the "free market" wins, only the rich win; everyone else loses.

NoCompete
@209.6.16.x

1 recommendation

NoCompete to JasonOD

Anon

to JasonOD
The market for internet looks nothing like the market for long distance. In essence we need to do the same anti-trust trials all over again to regain the competition we fought long to achieve in long distance market. Unfortunately having realized the government can take them down, the ISP's have bought congress/fcc to maintain the status quo.

Yucca Servic
join:2012-11-27
Rio Rancho, NM

1 recommendation

Yucca Servic

Member

Lost ?!?!

No, they weren’t lost. They’ve been filed in the tra file at the end of the desk.
Tra = trash can.

NoMatter
@50.182.138.x

NoMatter

Anon

Does it matter?

Does it matter? Who at the FCC has the time or inclination to read any of these comments? The only comments that mattered were those from pols, industry spokespersons, advocacy group leaders, and other VIPs.
AmericanMan
Premium Member
join:2013-12-28
united state

AmericanMan

Premium Member

Re: Does it matter?

1. Export to Excel
2. Sort by Campaign Contribution Amount -- Highest to Lowest

The first 1-2% of the comments are probably the only ones that get read.
ericthered26
join:2011-09-29
Hamilton, OH

ericthered26

Member

Well

Well now I'm off to file a comment to express my disapproval that they've lost my previous comment. This could be never ending.
Bob61571
join:2008-08-08
Washington, IL

1 recommendation

Bob61571

Member

Ironic, isn't it.....?

That the Federal COMMUNICATIONS Commission is so BAAAAD at storing communications!!!

These are the same people that like to portray themselves as knowing/understanding the latest in computer/internet issues. But, they only know the current lingo to use in their speeches.

Packeteers
Premium Member
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY
Asus RT-AC3100
(Software) Asuswrt-Merlin

4 recommendations

Packeteers

Premium Member

Re: Ironic, isn't it.....?

IMHO it's not any stranger than dozen of leading members of our Legislative branch supporting Creationism and denying Climate Change. The World is changing too fast for these old farts to keep up and govern, yet another excuse for the current gridlock - they are simply not mentally equipped to make rational decisions.

NotSocialist
@73.174.80.x

NotSocialist

Anon

Re: Ironic, isn't it.....?

"...supporting Creationism and denying Climate Change" Creationism is opinion and in a free society everyone has a right to their opinion. Climate Change, aka, Global warming Bull crap, is junk science created & promoted by Al Whore to give himself a place of importance. The planet goes through a 16 thousand year cycle based on true science. Trying to project what is happening over a 100 years or so for a 16,000 year cycle is just nuts. Per the Constitution, it is time for a change in the government and in particular professional politicians to be gone.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

KrK

Premium Member

Re: Ironic, isn't it.....?

"True Science" = "Only the parts we pick out that we like."

RobertBohann
@72.131.71.x

RobertBohann to NotSocialist

Anon

to NotSocialist
Thanks, but I'd rather get my science from scientists, rather than big oil, big business, bible thumpers, or so called "Christians".

mackey
Premium Member
join:2007-08-20

mackey to Bob61571

Premium Member

to Bob61571
said by Bob61571:

These are the same people that like to portray themselves as knowing/understanding the latest in computer/internet issues.

There's a huge difference in knowing and understanding current issues and solutions, and having the budget to overhaul your internal systems every few years.

/M

Robert
Premium Member
join:2001-08-25
Miami, FL

Robert

Premium Member

Sarbanes150;Oxley Act, et. al

The government imposes very strict document retention laws for organizations, sometimes requiring them to maintain documents for up to 7 years or even lifetime (e.g. emails stored on a WORM device

Yet, it's amazing how the IRS, and the FCC can "misplace" or "lose" e-mails and other information so easily.
54761437 (banned)
join:2013-01-18
Durham, NC

54761437 (banned)

Member

Re: Sarbanes150;Oxley Act, et. al

said by Robert:

The government imposes very strict document retention laws for organizations, sometimes requiring them to maintain documents for up to 7 years or even lifetime (e.g. emails stored on a WORM device

Yet, it's amazing how the IRS, and the FCC can "misplace" or "lose" e-mails and other information so easily.

Yes, funny how that works, isn't it? But if you ever call out the IRS or the FCC or whatever alphabet soup agency for deleting emails and obstructing justice, you're just a conspiracy theorist. Right.

Flyonthewall
@206.248.154.x

Flyonthewall

Anon

Only one percentage matters

It's irrelevant how popular an idea is to the majority of citizens. The only population that matters is the population with enough money to direct the political process and all it's facets. You think your vote matters? It's all an illusion.
AmericanMan
Premium Member
join:2013-12-28
united state

1 recommendation

AmericanMan

Premium Member

Re: Only one percentage matters

That's why lately I've been voting third party.

At least I know I'm throwing my vote away, unlike all of the others who vote for one of the "two" parties.
shmerl
join:2013-10-21

1 recommendation

shmerl

Member

Re: Only one percentage matters

Where can one vote for changing the voting system?

BonezX
Basement Dweller
Premium Member
join:2004-04-13
Canada

BonezX

Premium Member

Re: Only one percentage matters

said by shmerl:

Where can one vote for changing the voting system?

cmon now you know it doesn't work that way.

cynic
@75.81.1.x

cynic to shmerl

Anon

to shmerl
One can start at a local level by inserting oneself into the party apparatus as an active member or as a potential candidate. Work with like minded folks or friends to become a player in the party, much like the Koch organizations astroturfed their Tea Party candidates into position. It takes actual work and time, but the beast is so big now, there's not much way to slay it and heed Washington's words against the formation of political parties.

DaveRickmers
join:2011-07-19
Canyon Country, CA

DaveRickmers

Member

Re: Only one percentage matters

said by cynic :

..the beast is so big now, there's not much way to slay it ..

When the means for polite politics are sabotaged, for whatever reason, the People's only recourse is to engage in massive displays of passive resistance until we get our way or until we surrender to the fascists.

Suntop
Wolfrider Elf
Premium Member
join:2000-03-23
Fairfield, MT
·T-Mobile
Netgear R6400
Netgear WNR1000
Netgear WNDR3400

Suntop

Premium Member

Misplaced my arse!

How many lies will you tell FCC? First you allow BPL which many Ham AND other who used the HF Band complained about but did not listen. All they care about is who gives them the most $$$$$$$ in bribes....... FCC you can either listen to US LICENSED users, or continue taking bribes and be a bunch of fools. I bet all 600,000 comments are AGAINST their views. Remember these people are not voted in they are PLACED by the administration.. So they are sort of unaccountable. Sigh. LEAVE THE DAMNED INTERNET ALONE! It has been running for what around 40 years?

Makes me wonder if they "Misplaced" the opponents of BPL comments too. I had to file mine 3 times before it showed. So they can MISPLACE them and blame their computers......

Friendly Cash Collecting fools...

Overtkill
Premium Member
join:2005-09-21
Tooele, UT

Overtkill

Premium Member

Re: Misplaced my arse!

said by Suntop:

How many lies will you tell FCC? First you allow BPL which many Ham AND other who used the HF Band complained about but did not listen. All they care about is who gives them the most $$$$$$$ in bribes....... FCC you can either listen to US LICENSED users, or continue taking bribes and be a bunch of fools. I bet all 600,000 comments are AGAINST their views. Remember these people are not voted in they are PLACED by the administration.. So they are sort of unaccountable. Sigh. LEAVE THE DAMNED INTERNET ALONE! It has been running for what around 40 years?

Makes me wonder if they "Misplaced" the opponents of BPL comments too. I had to file mine 3 times before it showed. So they can MISPLACE them and blame their computers......

Friendly Cash Collecting fools...

Indeed. I'll add these to the heap:

- Perhaps a subtle slip of the delete key....

- Too lazy to write a proper data converter.... So a little of the previous as well.

..anyone else?

fg8578
join:2009-04-26
San Antonio, TX

fg8578

Member

Nothing was "lost" or "misplaced"

As usual, Bode opts for the upworthy click-bait headline, rather than accuracy in reporting.

If you had five twenty dollar bills in your left pocket, then transferred four of them to your right pocket, does that mean you "lost" twenty dollars? Of course not, you had $100 all along; that's what happened here.

ECFS had all the comments; at no time were any of them lost or misplaced.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

1 recommendation

KrK

Premium Member

Re: Nothing was "lost" or "misplaced"

Huh, well, that's exactly what the Republicans are claiming, eh?

fg8578
join:2009-04-26
San Antonio, TX

fg8578

Member

Re: Nothing was "lost" or "misplaced"

said by KrK:

Huh, well, that's exactly what the Republicans are claiming, eh?

I have no idea what you are talking about. Did you even bother to read the FCC blog post? It was written by Gig Sohn, formerly of Public Knowledge, and I don't believe anyone would mistake her for a Republican.

••••••••

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

KrK

Premium Member

"Free Market Forces"

Why do people elect these people again?

Free market? Really?

fg8578
join:2009-04-26
San Antonio, TX

fg8578

Member

Re: "Free Market Forces"

said by KrK:

Why do people elect these people again?

Wo are you talking about? FCC Commissioners are appointed, not elected.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

KrK

Premium Member

Re: "Free Market Forces"

The idiot republican making the quote, of course.

YukonHawk
join:2001-01-07
Patterson, NY

YukonHawk

Member

Typical....

Government bullshit!!!

Pegasus
Premium Member
join:2008-01-04
united state

Pegasus

Premium Member

*Rolls eyes*

Well isn't that convenient...

i really hope this hasn't shocked anyone.

BAALZAKK
@73.181.38.x

BAALZAKK

Anon

Insult to our intelligence

Couldn't they just have the honesty to flip us off and tell us they don't have to care about our opinions or rights, due to their having bribed the correct officials? Damn head of the FCC is an ex Comcast executive, and he's supposed to tell us he's not an industry plant within our government, just like all the rest of them from the banking, finance, and industrial lobbies. For them to try and pretend they're not buying the world, just insults the observers' opinions

Goodbye Web
@205.196.230.x

Goodbye Web

Anon

This should tell you something

This speaks volumes to how the FCC will react to Net Neutrality. The death of the internet is upon us, don't be surprised when it happens.

Goodbye internet, its been good while it lasted.
decifal7
join:2007-03-10
Bon Aqua, TN

decifal7

Member

familiar

Sounds like a good ol page from the IRS handbook on dodging responsibility.. If there is no backlash for being corrupt, people will do corrupt stuff.. Hell if I can go to the bank, shoot everyone take the money with absolute no concerns of going to prison or trial I think I'd have to wait in a freaking line just to get in! To bad only the feds seem unrequired to be held accountable..

DaveRickmers
join:2011-07-19
Canyon Country, CA

DaveRickmers

Member

Government is Only a Villain When It Gets Cozy With Big Money

The Government is supposed to have our back. They don't and it is our own fault. Stop eating mental Fast Food news. It makes you less informed than people who don't watch any TV news. We are in a Deep Propaganda State; be less lazy and learn who your real friends are. Time for action is upon us.