T-Mobile CEO Asks EFF: Who The F**k Are You? Sets Off A Twitter Firestorm

Days after the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit digital rights group based in San Francisco, exposed T-Mobile’s lies – that the company’s new Binge On unlimited video service altered or limited the bandwidth of video streams instead of optimizing streaming for mobile devices as it claimed – T-Mobile CEO John Legere tried to “set the #BingeOn record straight” in a blog post :

“There are people out there saying we’re “throttling.” They’re playing semantics! Binge On does NOT permanently slow down data nor remove customer control. Here’s the thing, mobile customers don’t always want or need giant heavy data files. So we created adaptive video technology to optimize for mobile screens and stream at a bitrate designed to stretch your data (pssst, Google, that’s a GOOD thing). You get the same quality of video as watching a DVD – 480p or higher – but use only 1/3 as much data (or, of course, NO data used when it’s a Binge On content provider!). Watch more video, use less data from your service plan. That’s an important and valuable benefit!

“So why are special interest groups — and even Google! — offended by this? Why are they trying to characterize this as a bad thing? I think they may be using Net Neutrality as a platform to get into the news. As a company that’s a huge fan of a free and open internet, I find that disappointing. At T-Mobile, we’re giving you MORE video, more for free, and the power of choice. What’s not to love??

“YouTube complained about Binge On, yet at the same time they claim they provide choice to customers on the resolution of their video. So it’s ok for THEM to give customers choice but not for US to give our customers a choice? Hmmm. I seriously don’t get it. Customers have MORE choices than before. And these guys are complaining? Who do they think they are? Do they have the right to dictate what my customers – or any wireless consumer — should or should not be able to choose for themselves??  No way!”

Later, Legere tweeted a curse-filled hate rant against the EFF asking: “Who the fuck are you EFF, why are you stirring up so much trouble, and who pays you?”

.@EFFpic.twitter.com/pv6V4oOJwS

— John Legere (@JohnLegere) January 7, 2016

To help Legere understand the non-profit better, the EFF asked its members, supporters, and technology users worldwide to enlighten him:

T-Mobile’s CEO is dying to know who EFF is. Friends, please tweet at @JohnLegere with the hashtag #WeAreEFF to enlighten him.

— EFF (@EFF) January 7, 2016

They responded and how:

Um @JohnLegere — If you don’t know who the @EFF are, perhaps u shouldn’t be involved in the internet. WTF are you, BTW, n00b. #WeAreEff

— Fred Robins (@fredrobins) January 8, 2016

Our ally and hero in the fight for human rights in the digital age. #WeAreEFF pic.twitter.com/uzhcozODa4

— torproject (@torproject) January 8, 2016

Thanks @JohnLegere for reminding me to re-contribute to the EFF #WeAreEFF

— Gigasquid (@gigasquid) January 8, 2016

Dear @JohnLegere, #WeAreEFF, we are the people that operate your systems, educate your children, and subscribe to your services. <3 @EFF

— Maarten Billemont (@lhunath) January 8, 2016

Seemed pretty personal, almost like @JohnLegere was going to reach out of the screen and (•_•) ( •_•)>⌐□-□ (⌐□_□) throttle us. #WeAreEFF

— Kit Walsh (@NeuroKit) January 7, 2016

#WeAreEFF pic.twitter.com/fwGb3AL5iZ

— Matt Lee (@mattl) January 7, 2016

Dear @JohnLegere, #WeAreEFF Sincerely, The Internet https://t.co/Y0juT28qga

— Anonymous (@AnonyOps) January 7, 2016

I am an @EFF donor, @JohnLegere. Feel free to ask me if you’re confused about net neutrality. #IPayTheEFF #WeAreEFF https://t.co/c87Q9PvI7k

— Firas Durri (@firasd) January 7, 2016

Hi John. I have the privilege of leading the EFF legal team. We take on the hard cases to defend digital rights–including yours. #WeAreEFF

— corynne mcsherry (@cmcsherr) January 7, 2016

Hey @JohnLegere, @EFF does the work to ensure that the internet stays open, encryption stays legal, and users remain in control #WeAreEFF

— Micah Lee (@micahflee) January 7, 2016

Yo @JohnLegere! I’m a proud @EFF member and an ashamed @TMobile customer. Don’t make me pick one of you. #WeAreEFF pic.twitter.com/jxFIY4NB9b

— Aaron Muszalski (@sfslim) January 7, 2016

.@JohnLegere even the cool swearing CEOs get user rights wrong sometimes. It’s alright, @EFF is here to help. #weareEFF

— Elliot Harmon (@elliotharmon) January 7, 2016

#IPayTheEFF because digital rights are more important than some CEO acting like a clown instead of running a good business. #WeAreEFF

— Ben Brocka (@BenBrocka) January 7, 2016

Oh hi there @JohnLegere, I’ve been funding the @EFF since before your company T-Mobile had US customers. #WeAreEFF pic.twitter.com/QcceKyDBRN

— Brooke Schreier Ganz (@Asparagirl) January 7, 2016

@EFF They’re the ones who ensure greedy people like @JohnLegere can’t lie about #NetNeutrality in an effort to raise profits. #WeAreEFF

— Tom Ervin (@techbytom) January 7, 2016

Hi @JohnLegere. I’m an activist, writer, and feminist. I care about the future of our rights. I’m proud to be an EFF member. #WeAreEFF

— Rainey Reitman (@RaineyReitman) January 7, 2016

Hi @johnlegere: I work at EFF fighting surveillance and censorship around the world. I’m a T-Mobile customer. Pleased to meet you. #WeAreEFF

— Danny O’Brien (@mala) January 7, 2016

After the deluge of tweets, Legere finally knew who the EFF is:

Let me be clear- I know who the @EFF is. I’m sure they do a lot of great things for a lot of consumers, but innovation can be controversial!

— John Legere (@JohnLegere) January 7, 2016

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