Yesterday was the Internet-Wide Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality. 1.6 million people voiced their concerns to the Federal Communications Commision (FCC) about its plans to destroy net neutrality and give big cable companies control over what we see and do online.
But what does this all mean and why is it important? And how can you make a difference?
What is net neutrality?
Net neutrality is the basic principle that ensures your freedom on the Internet. ‘Title II’ of the Communications Act provides the legal foundation of the current net neutrality rules, approved by the FCC in 2015 under the ‘Open Internet Order’. In short this means that Internet usage is currently classified as a utility. It is similar to something like water or electricity: providers can only charge for the resource used and they can’t charge extra for what it is used for.
Why are the Internet service providers (ISPs) opposed to net neutrality?
The current rules of the FCC ban ISPs from slowing down or blocking content. This also means they can’t engage in business arrangements in which companies pay ISPs a premium to have their traffic prioritized. If these practices were allowed, these large corporations stand to gain financially and can potentially constrict their competition.
Sounds like standard corporate lobbying to me.
Fair enough, but think about the wider societal implications. Controlling access to websites can be used as a way to suppress free speech, manipulate public opinion and hamstring criticism. The abolishment of net neutrality can quite literally be used as a tool to undermine democracy.
Yikes! But why is net neutrality in danger?
The newly appointed FCC chairman Ajit Pai has begun to dismantle net neutrality and the classification of ISPs as common carriers under ‘Title II’. Mr Pai argues that there has been a fall in capital investment in networks since the rules were extended in 2015.
However, his argument is inconclusive at best. In fact, ISP investment is up over time, and shows no decline as a result of the implementation of the 2015 Order.
Wait! Ajit Pai is a Republican, isn’t this just another partisan issue?
Not at all. There is credible evidence to suggest that the abolishment of net neutrality will have a negative effect on economic growth, employment rates and technological innovation. All consumers, regardless of their political orientation, stand to suffer if net neutrality is abolished.
How can I help net neutrality survive?
Make your voice be heard! The easiest way to support net neutrality is to go to battleforthenet.com and use their form to send a letter to the FCC and Congress.
And spread the word! Talk to friends and family. The more people know about this issue, the better chance we stand to secure our Internet freedom.
Sources and extra reading: 1, 2, 3
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