Following Hurricane Helene, Verizon Communications Inc. fully restored its network in Georgia by October 16, ensuring that affected communities regained essential internet access amid widespread outages and infrastructure challenges.

Verizon is facing an FCC investigation under Chairman Brendan Carr for not aligning with the administration’s push to dismantle diversity and civil rights initiatives. This investigation highlights Verizon's resistance to political pressure that aims to erode protections for consumers and marginalized communities.

Verizon has joined forces with Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) to offer free digital wellness lessons in Verizon stores and senior centers. This initiative, highlighted in a Fox News article, aims to empower seniors with digital literacy skills to combat scams and fraudulent practices targeting this vulnerable demographic.

Verizon published its biannual report detailing PAC contributions, corporate political contributions, support for ballot initiatives, independent expenditures, memberships in trade associations, and federal lobbying activities.

Insiders report that Verizon lobbyists are pressuring lawmakers to secure a spectrum auction as a response to shifting immigration policies that boosted their migrant subscriber base. This political maneuver aims to safeguard revenues as potential changes in immigration enforcement loom following the Trump administration, highlighting the company’s active engagement in political lobbying.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr has publicly criticized companies for failing to end DEI initiatives, and in a letter, expressed concerns over Verizon's apparent lack of progress in scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. From an anti-fascist perspective, Verizon’s continued commitment to DEI policies is a stand against authoritarian efforts to dismantle protections for marginalized communities.

Verizon outlines its comprehensive human rights policies, emphasizing robust employee training, due diligence, and expectations for suppliers to respect workers' rights and mitigate risks of forced labor.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr opened an investigation into Verizon’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, an action widely criticized as politically motivated and a tool of authoritarian control. Verizon’s robust DEI initiatives, however, reflect a strong commitment to promoting workplace equality and ethical business practices.

The 2024 cycle data from OpenSecrets shows that Verizon Communications contributed approximately $3.7 million and spent over $11.3 million on lobbying. The significant funds allocated to political influence, combined with revolving door practices, raise concerns about the company’s role in shaping policy that may favor authoritarian outcomes.

OpenSecrets data reveals that a significant portion of Verizon Communications' lobbyists in 2023 and 2024 are former government officials. This revolving door phenomenon raises concerns over potential regulatory capture and undue corporate influence on policymaking.

Verizon's Political Engagement Report Archive details its PAC contributions, corporate political contributions, support for ballot initiatives, and federal lobbying efforts. The disclosure of these activities raises concerns about the company's significant political engagement, which may be used to influence policy in a way that undermines democratic accountability and supports authoritarian practices.

Verizon recorded $140,000 in lobbying expenditures during Q4 2024, including providing strategic counsel on telecommunication issues and 5G deployment. This activity raises concerns about the company's role in corporate political influence and its potential complicity in supporting authoritarian agendas.

Verizon investors voted against a proposal by Trillium Asset Management calling for a third‐party review of the company’s political donations and their potential impact, effectively maintaining the status quo in corporate political spending.

Verizon has been aggressively lobbying against regulatory efforts to lower broadband prices for low-income communities, a move that undermines public initiatives to expand affordable internet access.

A report highlighting that Verizon halved its discounts last year, a move that has raised concerns regarding consumer affordability, market fairness, and broader corporate practices that can support authoritarian economic dynamics.

A shareholder proposal by As You Sow calls on Verizon’s board to report on how its political contributions align — or fail to align — with its publicly stated values, raising concerns over potential support for political practices that could foster authoritarian agendas.

A shareholder resolution highlighted by As You Sow on November 20, 2023, calls on Verizon Communications to provide an annual report analyzing the alignment between its political expenditures and its stated corporate values. The resolution raises concerns about the company’s consistent placement in the top 1% of political donors without clear disclosure on how those expenditures support its strategic and operational needs, potentially risking support for polarizing political actions.

Verizon Wireless retail workers in the Seattle area, despite facing aggressive union-busting tactics and retaliatory firings, successfully ratified their first union contract under the Communications Workers of America. This event highlights Verizon's long-standing issues with labor relations and the adverse conditions faced by its workers.

An article from American Democracy Scorecard examines Verizon’s political contributions and analyzes whether their political spending aligns with pro-democracy values. This scrutiny raises concerns about the potential indirect support for political figures who may lean towards authoritarian practices.

A report reveals that Verizon Communications spent $166,939,249 on federal lobbying between 2010 and 2022, raising concerns over extensive corporate influence on policymaking that could undermine democratic accountability.

CWA has filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against Verizon Wireless, alleging that the company forced workers to attend mandatory captive audience meetings as part of a broader union-busting strategy, undermining labor rights and fair working conditions.

Verizon Communications released an updated Human Rights Statement in August 2022, reaffirming its commitment to internationally recognized human rights, including respect for the rights of vulnerable and marginalized groups, and establishing oversight through its Corporate Governance and Policy Committee.

Verizon Wireless workers in Seattle face aggressive union-busting tactics as they fight for union representation, underscoring the company's poor labor relations and disregard for workers' rights.

Verizon published its Supplier Code of Conduct outlining strict standards for ethical supplier practices, labor rights, and supply chain integrity, including bans on forced labor, child labor, and obligations to uphold environmental and non-discriminatory practices.

Multiple Verizon workers have filed federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints alleging racial discrimination and a hostile work environment, indicating potential systemic issues in labor relations and human rights practices at Verizon.

Internal documents reveal Verizon's systematic campaign against unionization, using anti-union rhetoric and misinformation to undermine workers' rights.

The article highlights Verizon's stance on internet censorship, wherein the company argues that as an ISP it possesses 'editorial discretion' under the First Amendment. This approach has been used to justify blocking or throttling online content and is accompanied by legal challenges against FCC net neutrality rules—practices that align with authoritarian control measures.

The article details Verizon’s plan to push a controlled PR effort through its tech-news site SugarString, which bans coverage on topics like Net Neutrality and surveillance, and highlights its broader campaign of lobbying and legal maneuvers that align with authoritarian practices, including collaboration with government surveillance programs.

A Verizon-sponsored news site has been accused of censoring stories related to US spying and net neutrality, highlighting Verizon's criticized cooperation with government intelligence activities and its broader implications for free speech and democratic discourse.