On July 12, 2017 – Amazon, Reddit, Netflix, and many other internet organizations announced that they would hold a simultaneous “Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality” on July 12 in a final attempt to persuade the Republican-controlled FCC to keep the current net neutrality rules.
Net Neutrality is the idea that all ISPs (internet service providers) should treat all data on the internet the same. It states cost, network performance, speeds, movement of data or throttling should be equal and cannot be blocked or discriminate based on the user, content, platform or application.
In 2015, the U.S. Government classified ISPs as a “common commodity,” and regulated under the FCC’s Title II policy. Title II governs all common utility entities on what services they must offer, to whom, and at what rates. (Other common utilities include water, gas, telephones.) Customer privacy and data laws fall under the jurisdiction of the FTC.
The GOP wants to roll back Title II, allowing internet access as a competitive, dynamic market, not a static utility. But this would also enable the ISPs to control content, cost, speed, or access to their users. Possible limiting access to a competitor’s sites, allowing you to only access content from their own opinions, news stories, or partners. Or slowing download times of varying content, prioritizing sites and articles that support their view(s). These rules may affect the innovation of IoT (internet of things), preventing the ability to connect devices in your home via the internet.
The GOP says they want to start from scratch regarding the regulations around internet access and create a clear new policy for ISPs. The internet is transforming human behavior at a quick pace. Today’s statutes and rules are playing catch up to the marketplace’s innovations. These regulations are an evolving process.
On May 18, 2017 – The FCC voted 2-1 to start rolling back net neutrality regulations; this vote marked the beginning of a lengthy process required to modify the existing rules, and it did not change said rules.
The questions you should ask yourself: should we regulate the internet like a standard utility? Should internet service providers be governed to provide equal service to all communities and all content? (Note: this does not include illegal activities.) Do companies have a right to throttle broadband usage based on their priorities?
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: To make things slightly more confusing, the FCC regulates ISPs, and the FTC regulates services such as Facebook, Uber, and Google. The FTC also enforces laws regarding hacking (online and office line), customer data privacy, and protects children’s laws (i.e., inappropriate content).