Today the FCC’s rules governing Net Neutrality ended. The concept behind net neutrality was simple:
the principle that Internet service providers should enable access to all content and applications regardless of the source, and without favoring or blocking particular products or websites.
Now your Internet Service Provider can restrict access to any website they want, slow down your Netflix in favor of a movie streaming service they may offer. They can control the news you see, even censoring negative coverage of themselves.
The arguments in favor of ending Net Neutrality say that the free market will guarantee that the internet will remain a free and open place. The problem is that in many places there is only access to one ISP, usually a cable company.
Why do I care about this? The truth is that while large companies easily absorb these costs they are usually passed on to the individual and small businesses. In this day and age the internet has become a necessity for doing business.
The only thing left to do is to contact members of Congress and get them to enact into law protections that until now came from the executive branch.
Who to Contact:
Learn More:
-
The Net Neutrality Repeal Is Official. Here’s How That Could Affect You. – June 11, 2018 – The New York Times
-
Net neutrality nixed by FCC: What to know about the Internet regulations – June 11, 2018 – Fox News
-
Comcast Found ‘Accidentally’ Blocking Legitimate Sites — Including PayPal and Steam – March 7, 2018 – Digital Music News
-
Netflix and Alphabet will need to become ISPs, fast – June 13, 2018 – TechCrunch