Nobody seems to be asking where Remind gets the money to pay for this.
If they're harvesting user info for sale - and they are - then why bother?
Actually no, they're not harvesting user info for sale. The basic service is aimed at individual teachers (like me) and is free to use. They offer a paid School & District plan that they sell to entire schools or school systems which has more powerful features. That's where they get the money to pay for this. They offer a small free tier to attract the bigger sale.
Interestingly, Verizon is still one of the cheapest carriers.
That doesn't make it okay. Just because they're the least evil, doesn't mean that it isn't still evil. Text messaging is nearly zero cost for the carriers, so anything they make is close to 100% profit, this is just gouging. They're getting away with it because we all hate spam so much, and they throw that word in there to pretend like they're fighting it. In this case it negatively affects a legitimate educational service.
I'm a teacher who uses Remind, and let me tell you, it's WAY easier to get a parent to send one text with a code in it to be able to get my updates than it is to try to persuade them to go to the app store, find and download an app, and set it up. Techdirt readers, we are the tech savvy, but think about the average person - think about YOUR parents. Some of my parents don't even know how to find and download an app. They text, they do a little with the browser, they have Facebook and maybe a couple of games, and they can be intimidated by apps.
While text messaging may be archaic, it's simple, reliable, and most everyone knows how to use it. You can't say that about apps.
...I just chunked my Epson inkjet printer in the trash. I got a couple of good years out of it, but they're not getting another penny out of me. I bought some 3rd party ink off of Amazon with reviews saying that they would work, but my printer refused to take them (now I know why). I bought an inexpensive Brother laser printer that works great, and I will never spend another dime on anything made by Epson. They lost my business, and I will tell everyone I know to stay away from their products.
You're missing the point. When you buy a newspaper, you're not actually buying a newspaper, you're only buying a license to read that paper! They're simply changing the licensing terms! Isn't that the way everything is done nowadays?
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I'm a teacher who uses Remind, and let me tell you, it's WAY easier to get a parent to send one text with a code in it to be able to get my updates than it is to try to persuade them to go to the app store, find and download an app, and set it up. Techdirt readers, we are the tech savvy, but think about the average person - think about YOUR parents. Some of my parents don't even know how to find and download an app. They text, they do a little with the browser, they have Facebook and maybe a couple of games, and they can be intimidated by apps.
While text messaging may be archaic, it's simple, reliable, and most everyone knows how to use it. You can't say that about apps.
This is why...
...I just chunked my Epson inkjet printer in the trash. I got a couple of good years out of it, but they're not getting another penny out of me. I bought some 3rd party ink off of Amazon with reviews saying that they would work, but my printer refused to take them (now I know why). I bought an inexpensive Brother laser printer that works great, and I will never spend another dime on anything made by Epson. They lost my business, and I will tell everyone I know to stay away from their products.
How DARE You!
The unmitigated NERVE of this donut shop to promote UT without the college's permission. What gall, I mean really.
Guys, c'mon...
You're missing the point. When you buy a newspaper, you're not actually buying a newspaper, you're only buying a license to read that paper! They're simply changing the licensing terms! Isn't that the way everything is done nowadays?