Supporting Net Neutrality
The internet has allowed the world to embark on a new age, the digital age, where anyone can share information with a click of a button. Recently, Internet Service Providers attempts to interfere with this freedom by violating Net Neutrality. Internet users should have the power to access any Web content or use any applications, without restrictions or limitations from their Internet service provider. If the Federal Communication Commission allow ISPs to break Net Neutrality, they will infringe our freedom of speech on the Web, charge users extra to use certain websites, and limit the possibility of future innovation.
Expressing Freedom of SpeechThe World Wide Web has been known for
being the freest platform to share ideas and also for allowing users even in
oppressed countries to practice freedom of speech, one of the most basic human
rights.
The uproar in the Middle East in 2011 demonstrate that the internet has emerged as a pivotal medium that allow citizens to mobilize and advocate for economic, social, and political reform. Protesters uploaded minute by minute footage of the riot on Facebook and Tweeted pictures of citizen’s outcry. If the sharing power of social media didn't exist, rest of the world would've perceived the news through government censored feed thus oblivious to what was truly happening in Middle East in 2011. So what will happen if Internet Service Providers and Federal Communications Commission gain control of this free internet? It will result in a huge censorship and manipulation of content. And this can be extremely dangerous and complete violation of our privacy. Internet Service Providers will be able to see what websites and materials we access and use that personal information to their advantage. For instance, if I look up "best car of 2014" then Comcast can strike a deal with Toyota to start displaying Toyota advertisements to get me to buy their car instead of its competitors vehicle. But the scarier thought is the FCC having control over censorship in the internet. FCC commissioner and many of its top board members are directly appointed by the President of the United States; thus, the party that is currently in charge of the office can exploit this censorship to gain supporters and even pass laws. It is viable to see the issue from both side in order to determine his/her position, that's why I have a "Opposing Views" page on this website. However, if the democratic party censor news to only reflect positively and shed negative image on the opponent then the citizens will receive false and tampered information. The issue is much bigger than most people think. Government has a huge impact on our day to day life and allowing the FCC to violate Net Neutrality will have detrimental effect not only to Internet users but also to anyone living in United States.
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More $$$ Out of Your PocketIf FCC
allows ISP to violate Net Neutrality then these companies will be able to
charge consumers more money to use certain websites.
Companies such as Comcast and Verizon uses paid prioritization which requires companies like Netflix and Hulu to pay a fee to have their site and content available at a faster speed. ISPs promised the users that they will not be effected if net neutrality is violated; however, Comcast renege on its promise and millions of Netflix users experienced slower loading period. And the nonsense doesn't stop there, Internet Service Providers might start charging us more depending on websites and applications we use. If I pay to use the Internet, I should be able to use every content freely without discrimination. For example, if I buy a ticket to access every ride on the amusement park, Six Flags can't charge me extra for riding a roller coaster that has a long line. Paid prioritization benefits big companies who need much more data but for average internet users, it will cost them too much to fully enjoy every websites and applications. Thus, most people will resort to the cheapest internet package offered and experience extremely slow internet speed. Last Month, President Obama said “I believe the FCC should create a new set of rules protecting net neutrality and ensuring that neither the cable company nor the phone company will be able to act as a gatekeeper, restricting what you can do or see online” Following President Obama’s statement, cable and telecom stocks quickly dropped as much as 7%, whereas Internet companies such as Netflix and Pandora’s stock increased by 5%. This sudden dip occurred because many investors hoped to bend the lenient net neutrality laws to generate profit.
Another fear of this price change is that Internet Service Providers often times act as a monopoly so the consumers doesn't have the option to change to a different Internet Service Provider if they're unsatisfied. In a small town usually one Internet Service Provider provides Internet access but what happens if they raise fee by an unreasonable amount? Nothing. Unless you want to go to a local McDonald's for free Wi-Fi every time you want to use the Internet.
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Key People in Net Neutrality Battle
President Obama
The president made net neutrality a key campaign promise in 2008. After the January court ruling, his office reaffirmed that commitment in a statement to the press: "President Obama remains committed to an open internet, where consumers are free to choose the websites they want to visit and the online services they want to use, and where online innovators are allowed to compete on a level playing field based on the quality of their products." |
Tom Wheeler
The current FCC Chairman has had his hands full deciding how to respond to the court's net neutrality decision, which overturned rules passed by his predecessor. Wheeler initially reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of net neutrality in a blog post on the FCC's website. He has the biggest jurisdiction over what happens regarding Net Neutrality. However, the public is disapproving of Wheeler because of the previous job position he held as a lobbyist for ISPs. |
John McCain
The Republican Senator from Arizona has opposed net neutrality, attempting to pass legislation in 2009 to block the FCC's net neutrality rules. McCain praised the court's decision in January, saying in a prepared statement: “I have long opposed efforts that would allow the government to regulate the Internet, and today’s decision is a win for consumers and broadband innovation.” |
Al Franken
The Democratic Senator from Minnesota, who sits on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law, harshly condemned the court's net neutrality ruling in January. He's kept up the drumbeat for net neutrality since, but faults his fellow members of Congress for what he sees as their lack of understanding of the issue. |