Net Neutrality

On December 14, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission voted to repeal the laws for net neutrality.

The rules established by the Open Internet Order of 2015 is the key to maintaining net neutrality and an open internet. Repealing these laws will cause net neutrality will vanish completely, leaving behind a very different internet in its place.

Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers (ISPs) like Verizon and Comcast must treat all internet traffic equally, including websites, video streaming, files, messages, and everything else sent over the internet. Without net neutrality, ISPs will be able to block and slow down traffic to whichever websites they want to, charge customers to access high-quality services, charge other companies to ensure more reliable access, and engage in censorship. Net neutrality preserves the right to communicate freely online.

Getting rid of net neutrality results in disastrous consequences for entrepreneurs and smaller companies. If ISPs selectively favor some websites over others, smaller companies are prevented from being heard and accessed fairly and reliably. Since ISPs can control internet speeds, companies can also be blocked out from stock markets. The changes that follow the loss of net neutrality prevent companies from being able launch business, advertise, promote, create markets, and reach people. This all has the potential to destroy future startups, companies, and small businesses, and blocks job growth, competition, and innovation.

Repealing the Open Internet Order is also an extremely unfavorable situation for many marginalized groups. Media outlets for marginalized groups share information that they are not able to get from mainstream media. Communities also use the internet for space and resources to organize protests, access resources, opportunities, and fight back against discrimination. Losing net neutrality and making these valuable sites harder to access is damaging for all of the groups that use them, and all that they stand for.

The loss of net neutrality is a serious threat to the open internet. When the FCC voted to repeal the laws for net neutrality, more than twenty states sued to try and block the actions of the FCC and introduced bills to protect net neutrality in their own states.

Threats to net neutrality also spurred a huge reaction in the general public who began mobilizing over social media. People began contacting their Congressional representatives, especially to sway those undecided to protect net neutrality. Additionally, because the new chairman, Ajit Pai of the FCC, used to be a top Verizon lawyer, many protests occurred outside of Verizon stores in order to prevent the FCC from destroying the open internet.

The fight to prevent the repealing of net neutrality laws is not yet over, but progress is being still made to protect the free internet.

by ISHIKA JHA, ELIZA STOKES

Eliza StokesComment