So a Michigan congressman is accusing Google of “gaming” last month’s spectrum auction. The congressman, Michigan’s Fred Upton, who is a Republican, says Google bid just enough to trigger those pesky open access rules. He also called the way the auction was set up a big exercise in social engineering. Isn’t “social engineering” just a fancy way to say “lying”?
Two other congressman, John Shimkus (R-Ill.) and Cliff Stearns (R-Fl.), made similar complaints, saying the FCC was “duped” by Google’s duplicity.
One quick trip to OpenSecrets reveals that AT&T (through PACs, employees, etc.) have each contributed heavily ($5,000 each) to all three congressmen’s re-election campaigns. To me, it looks like they’re defending AT&T, who now have to play by open access rules because of Google’s bid. Whether or not that’s true I don’t know, but that’s the perception I get. And perception matter to these guys.