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Re: accessiBe are seeking credibility by association

for

From: L Snider
Date: May 28, 2021 3:11PM

The overall question is, is W3C checking all companies that are part of
developing standards? For professionals in the field, they are likely part
of companies, big or small, or academic institutions, organizations, etc.
What about conflict of interest by members?

Just overall questions to consider. For example, if one is developing a
standard such as WCAG (or even other working groups that influence WCAG),
which is specifically put into legislation, and becomes law for countries
around the world. This impacts millions of people, and has since 1999 (I
would argue today it is in way more legislation world wide and now impacts
so many more countries) it may be time to consider this at an organization
level for all W3C work.

Cheers

Lisa

On Fri, May 28, 2021 at 6:02 PM Ryan E. Benson < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
wrote:

> 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
> > > > > > > > > >
> > > > >