A few weeks ago the House of Representatives voted to repeal the FCC’s privacy measures. Then the Senate reached the same conclusion. Now, President Trump has signed off on this policy. This could be the death of internet freedom and net neutrality for all consumers. However, what did these now dead privacy measures protect consumers from? It protected us from ISP’s (Internet Service Provider) using our data (browser history, cookies, etc.) to create personalized ads that target our interest. It also prevents them from throttling the speeds of their competitor’s website. Instead, consumers may have to pay extra if they want faster service for a competitor’s website or service.
While this may not sound too bad, the primary goal of any big business is profit. Any smart ISP would capitalize on the repeal of the FCC measures and make consumers pay for “regular” service as well as convince them to buy more products with their personalized ads. Rather than having free speech on the internet, a smart ISP would throttle the websites and services of a competing opinion. Throttling the competition would limit the information available to the public and ultimately control public opinion. As of now, the only measure of security consumers have is a promise that some ISP’s will not sell consumer’s personal information.
On the other hand, the repeal of these measures support the idea of a free and unregulated market. The wants of business will always oppose the wants of the consumer. It is necessary to achieve a balance between these two opposing forces. Businesses will always want profit and consumers will always want free and safe services. Neither can live without the other. However, the repeal of these FCC measures is a large step towards the destruction of consumer rights and personal freedoms. If the government will not protect consumer rights, then it is the responsibility of the consumer to take charge for what they believe is right.
