Net neutrality is the spine of media freedom. If it is abolished; we will succumb our freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and freedom of choice. Scary, isn’t it? Let’s dig deep into Net Neutrality Protection and how it affects our online rights.
The Autonomous Internet
The virtue of the internet is that it is free for everyone. We can choose which content we wish to access. Entrepreneurs can start their online stores within several minutes and reach out to users all across the globe.
As the prevalence of the internet rose; so did the opportunities. But things could shift now that the FCC has had its approach. They are proposing to repeal the current net neutrality protections. And if net neutrality is revoked; the internet will no longer be free. It will no longer be the hub of opportunities that it is today. (Also see, Kodi Users and Net Neutrality: Why Kodi Users Should Worry About Net Neutrality Rule Roll Back)
Internet Censorship
Oppressive authorities dislike the internet. They restrict internet content with the aim of assuring; that dissenting opinions are not apprehended. They are well informed of the potential of the internet to gather people. So they hinder it by blocking services.
Such suppression has long-lasting outcomes. In countries that need a free internet; the state and other beings that are favorable to that government can efficiently determine what content audience can access on the internet. They can lock down apps and sites they do not back.
For instance, many countries block popular services like Facebook and Twitter.
The web has so far been unfettered and free in the USA. But that may shift soon. Agreed, U.S isn’t administered by an autocratic regime and Americans do not have to face massive internet censorship currently. It is republicanism, but democracies may also have polarized politics. (Also check, FCC Net neutrality Repeal: what the repeal means and how a VPN can help?)
Polarized Political Interests
Political concerns and patronage interests can endanger internet freedom everywhere. It can occur in America. Influential wireless carriers and ISPs in the US are already paying millions of dollars in promoting with the sole purpose of killing net neutrality protections. These companies are trying their best to destroy your right to a neutral internet.
If the government repeals net neutrality; ISPs will be capable of giving favored treatment to sites and internet services they profit from and block those services they don’t. At the same time, they can replenish an extra fee from businesses like Netflix for giving faster access to their customers.
Expensive Internet Access
Americans are already paying a lot more than people of other countries for slow internet. ISPs in the USA do not have to disclose their actual internet speeds. So they have no reason to be useful to consumers. Shortly, the ‘basic’ internet service plans will not have many of the available internet services.
Often, people do not realize who owns their favorite services. In the case of Net Neutrality repeal, Netflix may not be accessible at full speed on the basic plan, but Hulu may be available because Comcast owns it, 21st Century Fox, Disney, and Time Warner. And these companies are the primary internet service providers in the US, and as such, services that they own will undoubtedly receive special treatment. ISPs want the repeal of Net Neutrality because that will enable them to determine what content people can access on the internet.
The World Of Internet – As We Know It
The internet is a world of opportunity. It has fed the growth of various businesses. The startup practice that we see now was a product of the internet. It supported college mavericks to establish multi-billion dollar companies from their garage. If the government repeals Net Neutrality, the web may become less engaging with talent.
An ISP can easily block a website or service that they find competitive. That means any site or startup that threatens big corporations like Time Warner, AT &T, NBC, or Comcast is at risk. Also, data-hungry expected startups may have to spend tolls on ISPs to make their services accessible. Comcast has previously begun developing a content delivery network to anchor delivery to its customers. Their competitors do not have that privilege. (Also read, John Oliver vs FCC: The End of Net Neutrality in the US)
A ‘Closed’ Internet Impedes Enterprises And Creativity
All the content on the internet passes through ISPs. They know what content netizens are accessing. They can monitor breakthrough startups that will ultimately become dominant online players in the future and throttle them before they get off the ground. And they can also launch their own copycat versions of these startups.
Conclusion
In the case of the repeal of Net Neutrality, our future will be darker than we can imagine. It is essential that we act now. Make your voice apprehended in support of net neutrality protections. Any action against net neutrality protection is an attack on our rights. So, work now to prevent it. The internet is ours, and we must struggle to keep it open.
