Net Neutrality Still Here?!?!?
Net neutrality is the principle that Internet service providers must treat all data on the Internet the same, and not discriminate or charge differently by user, content, website, platform, application, type of attached equipment, or method of communication. For instance, under these principles, Internet service providers are unable to intentionally block, slow down or charge money for specific websites and online content.
The Federal Communications Commission voted on Thursday to dismantle rules regulating the businesses that connect consumers to the Internet, granting broadband companies the power to potentially reshape Americans’ online experiences.The agency scrapped the so-called net neutrality regulations that prohibited broadband providers from blocking websites or charging for higher-quality service or certain content. The federal government will also no longer regulate high-speed Internet delivery as if it were a utility, like phone service. We can’t let Pai have the last word on this — which is why we’re calling on Congress to use a “resolution of disapproval” to overturn the FCC’s vote to dismantle the Net Neutrality rules.Without the Net Neutrality rules, companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon will be able to call all the shots and decide which websites, content and applications succeed.
These companies can now slow down their competitors’ content or block political opinions they disagree with. They can charge extra fees to the few content companies that can afford to pay for preferential treatment — relegating everyone else to a slower tier of service.The consequences will be particularly devastating for marginalized communities media outlets have misrepresented or failed to serve. People of color, the LGBTQ community, indigenous peoples and religious minorities in the United States rely on the open Internet to organize, access economic and educational opportunities, and fight back against systemic discrimination.
Without Net Neutrality, how will activists be able to fight oppression? What will happen to social movements like the Movement for Black Lives? How will the next disruptive technology, business or company emerge if Internet service providers let only incumbents succeed? In the end the FCC decided to repeal net neutrality but Congress still has the final decision, and even if Congress does choose to repeal it states like California and New York have already sued the FCC and started bills like the Save Net Neutrality Bill which is incredible because it took less than 24 hours for states decide where they stood. If nothing works and we indeed end up losing net neutrality life as we know it will change, not only our online life but also our real lives will be affected. Only the most privileged will have enough money to pay for content and even then the content they receive will be censored. Our 'freedom' that we have now will be completely taken away and we will become even less informed about the world than we already are.
The division between classes will become even more prominent and the minorities whose voices have been heard a little will be completely silenced. In my mind if we end up completely losing net neutrality we will cease being a democracy who values individuals. The 'equality' we have will also change as only an elite few will keep the same access to online information if we completely lose net neutrality.
The Federal Communications Commission voted on Thursday to dismantle rules regulating the businesses that connect consumers to the Internet, granting broadband companies the power to potentially reshape Americans’ online experiences.The agency scrapped the so-called net neutrality regulations that prohibited broadband providers from blocking websites or charging for higher-quality service or certain content. The federal government will also no longer regulate high-speed Internet delivery as if it were a utility, like phone service. We can’t let Pai have the last word on this — which is why we’re calling on Congress to use a “resolution of disapproval” to overturn the FCC’s vote to dismantle the Net Neutrality rules.Without the Net Neutrality rules, companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon will be able to call all the shots and decide which websites, content and applications succeed.
Without Net Neutrality, how will activists be able to fight oppression? What will happen to social movements like the Movement for Black Lives? How will the next disruptive technology, business or company emerge if Internet service providers let only incumbents succeed? In the end the FCC decided to repeal net neutrality but Congress still has the final decision, and even if Congress does choose to repeal it states like California and New York have already sued the FCC and started bills like the Save Net Neutrality Bill which is incredible because it took less than 24 hours for states decide where they stood. If nothing works and we indeed end up losing net neutrality life as we know it will change, not only our online life but also our real lives will be affected. Only the most privileged will have enough money to pay for content and even then the content they receive will be censored. Our 'freedom' that we have now will be completely taken away and we will become even less informed about the world than we already are.
Net Neutrality is extremely important. Without it, millions of lives will be affected. This would be costly for everyone and for us to even do research for projects. Information would be skewed and misleading. Net Neutrality is important, and taking it away would be detrimental.
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