Pro-choice -- but keep it
to 35 characters or less

For a short time yesterday Verizon refused to allow Naral, a pro-choice group, to use its network for abortion-oriented text alerts, reports ClickZ.

The group was previously refused the ability to use a short code on Verizon's system, despite other carriers having allowed it.

The company said the refusal was because of the controversial nature of Naral's campaign. Later in the day, however, Verizon reversed course and decided to allow Naral to use the short code for its campaign, saying the earlier decision had been a mistake.

One mobile industry analyst says mobile carriers may be unfamiliar on an institutional basis with how groups involved in political and social issues are using mobile technology.

They may be more familiar, he said, with straight commercial uses for mobile campaigns such as those for movies and other flat-out commercial ventures.