Live data from Hacker News

Petition to make unlocking phones legal again passes 100,000 signatures

thenextweb.com

21–30 of 171 posts

Re: Petition to make unlocking phones legal again passes 100,000 signatures

#21
post #4
post #2

I'm interested in the White House's response, but anticipate the issue basically being blown off.

I kind of agree, but it is good that some attention might be brought to the issue (not necessarily the government's). My concern is that the WH might once again raise the number of needed signatures for the next petitions! as there are still many reaching the target.

I think Colonel Cathcart works in the White House.

Re: Petition to make unlocking phones legal again passes 100,000 signatures

#22
post #18
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If all 100k people chipped in a $100, it would have more effect than this petition. We live in a time where it takes money to get elected.

That's why I think financing campaigns should only be done by individuals and with a cap of $100 each to "equalize" the money vote, just like you equalize the regular vote, by giving a person the same vote everyone gets. But the way the system works now, the "money vote" seems to be much more powerful than the real vote, and because certain individuals or corporations can put as much money as they want on that vote,…

I think the logic behind corporate financing/lobbying is that if you allow individuals to contribute money separately, there is no reason why organized groups should not band together, analyze the election, choose a candidate and pay $100 for every one of their members to that candidate's campaign. This organized machine is going to always trump a bunch of individuals haphazardly contributing money.

Re: Petition to make unlocking phones legal again passes 100,000 signatures

#23
post #6

What exactly do these petitioners expect? A) there are far more important things to do, IMHO, then spending time wrestling telco companies over this, and B) the White House has to do zilch but respond. I love petitions, but people getting angry over e.g. repeatedly not legalizing marijuana after 0.03% of americans signed something I find confusing and frustrating. It's almost as if people are easier to ignore if they…

It appeases the throngs of slacktivists that run amok on the Internet, primarily.

As has been stated elsewhere, the only real effect this can have is if it gains media traction. Which, given than there are celebrities and murders to report on, is always very unlikely in the US.

If 100,000 people wrote personalized letters to their congressmen and women, it would likely have a much more substantial affect. The problem is that people prefer a "fix my problem" button.

Re: Petition to make unlocking phones legal again passes 100,000 signatures

#24
post #8

It's funny how you have to petition to have lawmakers pay attention to an issue, when by definition, those people are there to represent the interest of the majority in the first place.

If all 100k people chipped in a $100, it would have more effect than this petition. We live in a time where it takes money to get elected.

If all 100k people chipped in a $100

I've actually thought for some time this is an area the tech community could make a positive impact addressing the inefficiency of a small focused interest prevailing against a much larger, but unfocused public interest.

Thinking more like if 100M people contributed $1 to fund politicians that protect the public interest.

Re: Petition to make unlocking phones legal again passes 100,000 signatures

#25
A mere fact that there's a White House petition for something that in other countries is an indefeasible right - use your phone with any carrier you please - greatly saddens me. I find it astonishing how the Land of the Free can tolerate such treatment.

Re: Petition to make unlocking phones legal again passes 100,000 signatures

#26
post #6

What exactly do these petitioners expect? A) there are far more important things to do, IMHO, then spending time wrestling telco companies over this, and B) the White House has to do zilch but respond. I love petitions, but people getting angry over e.g. repeatedly not legalizing marijuana after 0.03% of americans signed something I find confusing and frustrating. It's almost as if people are easier to ignore if they…

I tend to agree. Think about the difference between signing a petition and doing what effective grass roots organizations (the NRA is a good example) do. They flood the offices of the legislature with phone calls, letters and emails. Although the numbers may be equal, the impact is much greater because it takes a lot more passion to pick up the phone than to sign a petition. It's the difference between stumbleupon traffic and google traffic.

Re: Petition to make unlocking phones legal again passes 100,000 signatures

#27
post #13

It's funny how you have to petition to have lawmakers pay attention to an issue, when by definition, those people are there to represent the interest of the majority in the first place.

Since when is the President a 'lawmaker?' If you want to get law-makers (i.e. legislators) to take notice just write your representative a letter.

As the guy who signs bills into law, and as the head of his party (meaning that he dictates how they are going to be whipped) he is lawmaker number 1.

Re: Petition to make unlocking phones legal again passes 100,000 signatures

#28
post #6

What exactly do these petitioners expect? A) there are far more important things to do, IMHO, then spending time wrestling telco companies over this, and B) the White House has to do zilch but respond. I love petitions, but people getting angry over e.g. repeatedly not legalizing marijuana after 0.03% of americans signed something I find confusing and frustrating. It's almost as if people are easier to ignore if they…

Petitions are just the White House way to troll the people of the internet.

Gives a sense of accomplishment but leads to zero results i.e. the same as arguing on the internet.

Re: Petition to make unlocking phones legal again passes 100,000 signatures

#29
post #12

This is something that I like in Brazillian laws, in Brazil carriers are supposed to always provide "portability", this mean that you can keep your phone numbers when you change your carrier. The "portability" laws, also say that the carriers themselves have to unlock your phones if you want to change carrier. This ensures that a carrier cannot make you locked to them by using phone lock or number lock. It is highly…

In the US, we also get to port our numbers to new carriers. It's been this way for a while.

Do Brazilian carriers offer contract-subsidized phones? Many carriers here will unlock your phone once your contract is complete. See AT&T's unlock details at [1]

[1] https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/client/en_US/

Re: Petition to make unlocking phones legal again passes 100,000 signatures

#30

It's funny how you have to petition to have lawmakers pay attention to an issue, when by definition, those people are there to represent the interest of the majority in the first place.

It's a way of expressing to lawmakers that people care about an issue.
Post reply on HN