What is net neutrality?
“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" (Wikipedia).
Net neutrality preserves your right to communicate freely online.
Why do we need it?
Without net neutrality, the internet that we know and love will be gone. We would no longer be able to freely access information. The dominating companies who provide us with internet access can pick and choose what they will allow us to see and do. If a company doesn't agree with our view on something, they could block us from viewing certain webpages, slow down certain websites, or even charge additional fees to view them.
If we lost net neutrality, millions of people would become voiceless, because many people would not have free access to unlimited information anymore. The internet provides a platform for marginalized groups to speak freely, to be heard, and to organize together. Without this, groups would no longer be able to organize mass protests such as the Women’s March or the March for Science, because there are no other platforms that work as quickly as social media.
Who's trying to take it away?
Net neutrality is being attacked by big phone and cable companies like Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T. Since President Trump’s appointment of Ajit Pai (a former Verizon lawyer) as FCC chairman, net neutrality has been under attack. Pai, along with big cable companies, lobbyists, and even some members of Congress, have pushed to get bills through to a vote, and they’ve made it this far.
How can we save it?
Write or call your representative in Congress. The FCC will vote on net neutrality on Dec. 14th. We have a very small window of time to have our voices heard. Congress has the ability to stop this, but we have to be loud. You can go to www.battleforthenet.com to send a pre-written message automatically to your representative.
You can also attend a protest. Battle for the Net has maps showing locations for Verizon retail stores across the country where protests will be held on Dec. 7th.
