The internet is under attack.
While that may sound mildly melodramatic, that truly is the best way of describing the latest issue in the United States government.
Recently, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had proposed a massive repeal of regulations on the internet service providers (such as Comcast, Verizon, & others), set be decided by a vote on December 14th.
The repeal of these regulations will have a dramatic effect on the operation of the internet unlike anything it's ever seen, ending the era of Net Neutrality.
Net Neutrality is a term used to describe a free internet- one in which all users are free to access any legal website to their liking, the Internet Service Providers (or ISPs) cannot prioritize certain types of websites over the other, or manipulate speeds based on how much one pays.
Without FCC regulations, ISPs l shall charge additional fees for internet speeds and divide up websites into preferred "packages" to squeeze out as much profit from the consumers as possible. They also may pressure websites to pay them extra for high speed-coverage.
Take a look at the following graph from LA Times, which demonstrates the way internet looks in a less free country such as Portugal:
(Link: http://beta.latimes.com/business/hiltzik/la-fi-hil...)
To access certain kinds of websites, internet users must pay a certain price. This is obviously not the case in the United States as of now. This is a potential set of customer packages for the US:
(Link: http://www.leafandcore.com/?p=17289)
Here's why it matters:
1. Nobody wants it.
Current Net Neutrality rules have received bipartisan advocacy, as seen by the following graph:
FCC has received thousands of letters asking for the repeal of regulations, which were found to be fraudulent.
Essentially, thousands of letters on something that truly shouldn't be even thought of as an issue were forged. This borders on being a conspiracy on its own.
For more on that info, check out this article.
2. It goes against the freedom of speech and information.
The current regulations are what's stopping ISPs from imposing an economic type of censorship: they can prioritize their high-paying customers and what they can see. Those economically disadvantaged will either spend even more on the internet, or not have a chance to use some of the services it uses.
The great thing about internet, is that it is a source of SO much information. People learn, communicate, and work with it. Having parts of it censored like that puts access to information or work to risk.
There is no good argument against Net Neutrality and upholding the current regulations. The only one who it will benefit will be the Internet Service Providers' pockets, not yours. Moreover, allowing this kind of behavior is a dangerous precedent and borders on being unconstitutional.
That said, what can you do about it, as a responsible citizen of the United States and a decent human being?
The fate of the internet will be decided by a vote on December 14, by a committee of five: two voters (Jessica Rosenworcel (D) and Mignon Clyburn (D) pledged to vote AGAINST repealing the regulations, and the other three, Ajit Pai (current Chairman, ex-Verizon lawyer [who might have a bias, if I say so myself]), Michael O'Rielly, and Brendan Carr, all republican, have pledged to vote against.
It is absolutely NECESSARY that YOU call your congressperson, and ask them to pressure against taking down Net Neutrality. Without the current regulations, website owners, businesses, and internet users will be hurt by the greed of ISPs lobbyists.
Remember, Comcast, Verizon, and all of these companies are NOT your friends. They are NOT people, and do NOT have the best in their hearts. They and are actively trying to sabotage the medium for their own lecherous profit with their puppets that like maggots will eat away the carcass of freedom online.
Don't let your internet get taken away, take action instead!
For more information on the subject, visit
https://www.battleforthenet.com
and find YOUR congressperson at:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-re...
