Ajit Pai promised a statement on Net Neutrality today, and he came down hard against a free and equal internet. He announced today that he will be rolling back regulations that were put in place during the Obama administration. Essentially, he plans to eliminate net neutrality, which is the principle that prohibits big internet service providers like AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon from speeding up some websites while slowing down or even blocking others.
It prohibits these companies from blocking any content, applications, and websites the user may want to access.
What does this mean for the internet?
It's pretty simple net neutrality kept big internet providers from charging money to make a website more accessible. If this rollback of regulation sticks, this could mean that AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon can show favoritism by charging for access to some websites, but not others. Also, they could slow down the speed of a website, which would lead to fewer visitors. Another issue for the consumer is the fact that providers may start charging the customer for access to certain websites, so if it is passed monthly bills will likely increase.
This particular move hurts small businesses who want to get their name out through social media and through a website online because smaller businesses will not be able to afford any fees the big internet service provider may charge. However, big companies with a lot of money and name recognition will have no issue having their websites treated with favoritism. Not only that, this could limit the flow of ideas that is necessary for a democracy. They could target either conservative or liberal views if they decide they disagree. This move, overall, is a bad one for a free and open internet.
So, what can you do?
This proposal will likely be confirmed in December, but consumer advocacy groups are determined to challenge it in court.
This is a grave issue and a bipartisan one as well. It does not matter if you are a liberal or conservative because this is a fight you should fight together. If the American people want a free and open internet they need to call their senator and their representatives. You need to make your voices heard on this. This is a fight for free speech and control of your experience online. If a judge does not rule it unconstitutional, the only move from there would be Congress working together to ensure internet remains fair and open.