Verizon Calling Out New York Times on Google Talk (VZ, GOOG)

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) has been a huge part of the news flow today over it and Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) having a business relationship that could threaten net neutrality.  The problem is that the New York Times story may have been grossly blown out of proportion.  Verizon just issued a formal response:

“The New York Times article regarding conversations between Google and Verizon is mistaken.  It fundamentally misunderstands our purpose. As we said in our earlier FCC filing, our goal is an Internet policy framework that ensures openness and accountability, and incorporates specific FCC authority, while maintaining investment and innovation. To suggest this is a business arrangement between our companies is entirely incorrect.”

Sometimes ‘discussions’ get blown way out of proportion.  Whether this is a case of that happening or whether this is a company quickly backing down is for you to decide.

JON C. OGG