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Re: accessiBe are seeking credibility by association

for

From: Ryan E. Benson
Date: May 28, 2021 3:01PM

I was poking around about a week ago, and thought they and somebody like
them were already listed. By allowing them to the table, we give them say
they benefit the WG. Does the W3C allow companies that do black hat SEO to
be members?

--
Ryan E. Benson

On Fri, May 28, 2021, 3:26 PM Steve Green < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
wrote:

> Earlier today on the W3C WAI email discussion group, there was a mixed
> reaction to the news that accessiBe plan to become members of the W3C. I
> say it was a mixed reaction, because it was split between "this is a
> terrible thing and we have to stop it" and "this is a terrible thing but we
> should tolerate it till they break the rules". I side with the latter view.
>
> Now I find that they are claiming to be building the world's first search
> engine for accessible sites - https://accessfind.com/. This is actually
> untrue - one of my colleagues created one in 2004.
>
> I was immediately suspicious, and then I found this - "accessiBe-powered
> websites are automatically added". Add this to their W3C membership, and
> they are definitely trying to gain credibility by associating themselves
> with the right people and causes. They recently received $28 Million Series
> A funding, so I fear this is just the start, and that they will be a
> formidable adversary.
>
> Regards,
> Steve Green
> Managing Director
> Test Partners Ltd
> 020 3002 4176 (direct)
> 0800 612 2780 (switchboard)
> 07957 246 276 (mobile)
> 020 7692 5517 (fax)
> Skype: testpartners
> <EMAIL REMOVED>
> www.testpartners.co.uk
>
> Connect to me on LinkedIn - http://uk.linkedin.com/in/stevegreen2
> > > > >