On July 12, major web companies and online communities will come together to protest against the FCC’s attack on net neutrality. Companies that participate in the protest include Facebook, Google, Amazon, Netflix, Dropbox, and Spotify.
Net neutrality is the basic principle that protects our free speech on the Internet. “Title II” of the Communications Act is what provides the legal foundation for net neutrality and prevents Internet Service Providers like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T from slowing down and blocking websites, or charging apps and sites extra fees to reach an audience (which they then pass along to consumers.)
The FCC wants to give big cable companies an opportunity to prioritize certain websites over others – basically, a control over what users see and do online. This will potentially result in widespread throttling, blocking, censorship, and extra fees.
“Revoking net neutrality is one of the fastest ways to reduced competition and Internet control,” says Marty P. Kamden, CMO of NordVPN. “ISPs can potentially put focus on their own streaming services, or demand that such sites as Netflix and Hulu pay them to access higher speeds. Smaller websites might not be able to afford the fees at all.”
