Without net neutrality, many people feel their rights and freedom are at risk.
This past December, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to repeal the net neutrality rules that were put into effect in 2015, and many people were not happy about it.
However, on May 16, the Senate vote was able to overturn the FCC repeal. Soon, the House of Representatives will make their vote, which will result in net neutrality either being repealed or kept intact.
Because of this, it is important to understand what net neutrality entails and what you believe should be the outcome.
According to the Merriam Webster definition, net neutrality is “ the idea, principle, or requirement that Internet service providers should or must treat all Internet data as the same regardless of its kind, source, or destination.”
Here’s what could happen without Net Neutrality and why people are advocating to protect it:
1. Blocking
Without net neutrality, Internet service providers could block any specific websites or apps.
2. Throttling
Without net neutrality, They could slow down or speed up the transmission of data.
3. Paid Prioritization
Without net neutrality, they could prioritize internet for some companies and consumers who pay extra.
4. Too much power
Without net neutrality, one large company could potentially have control over how data is delivered and accessed.
Here’s why some people believe the FCC should repeal net neutrality:
1. Accommodations
Because some people use the internet more than others, repealing net neutrality could allow companies who need faster internet pay for it, while households who don’t could pay less.
2. Competition
By repealing net neutrality, different pricing models could stimulate more competition within companies, which could be beneficial to the economy.
3. Money
With net neutrality, service providers receive less profit. Because of this, they charge sites like Netflix, who in return, charge their customers larger fees. With net neutrality repealed, many fees that service providers pay could be lifted.
4. Content Regulation
With net neutrality, anyone can access content such as nudity, riots, suicides or other illegal websites. The repulsion of net neutrality could monitor and regulate any illegal or explicit content that is on the internet.
For a lot of people, it seems like a given to keep net neutrality in order to prevent extra fees, favoritism and filtering content. However, for others, repealing it seems like a needed change that can stimulate growth and more options. Weighing out the pros and cons of having net neutrality allows us to understand what a future could look like with or without it.
