What Does Net Neutrality Mean For You?

I wasn't really sure what net neutrality meant until I attended a discussion group recently, where the topic was raised.  What is net neutrality?  It is the internet's guiding principle.  It preserves our right to communicate freely online.  Net Neutrality means an internet that enables and protects free speech.  It means that ISP's(Internet Service Providers like Comcast, ATT and Verizon) should provide us with open networks-and shouldn't block or discriminate against any applications or content that ride over those networks.  It's similar to your phone company not being able to decide who you call or what you say on that call.

Until the recent vote by the FCC to remove Net Neutrality from the internet, our expectation was to be connected to whatever website we wanted.  We expected that the phone company or cable company isn't messing with the data and is connecting you to all websites, applications and content you choose.  You expect to be in control of your internet experience.  That may all change soon.

Without Net Neutrality, ISP's will be able to call all the shots and decide which websites, content and applications succeed.  They can slow down 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 slower service.

In 2015 the FCC passed strong Net Neutrality rules, giving internet users the strongest protections possible.  This new ruling creates particularly devastating  results to marginalized communities.  (people of color, LGBTQ, religious minorities).  These groups rely on the internet to organize, access economic and educational opportunities, and fight back against systemic discrimination.

Who benefits from a more controlled internet?  Big business benefits for sure.  Small business owners, startups and entrepreneurs rely on the open internet to launch their businesses, create markets and advertise.  With the new regulation, ISP's will be able to exploit their gatekeeper position and destroy the internet's fair and level playing field.

If you believe this new regulation is damaging to our democracy, let your congressman and senators know.  Laws and regulations are being dismantled at an alarming rate, that will benefit big business and drive out small business and entrepreneurs.  These regulations threaten a fair and free internet, and ultimately our democracy.  Do something if you care about keeping the internet open and free.