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What is net neutrality?
Why does it matter?
Net neutrality is the principle that Internet providers like Comcast & Verizon should not control what we see and do online. In 2015, startups, Internet freedom groups, and 3.7 million commenters won strong net neutrality rules from the US Federal Communication Commission (FCC). The rules prohibit Internet providers from blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization—”fast lanes” for sites that pay, and slow lanes for everyone else.
The United States FCC (Federal COmmunications Commision) is directed by five commissioners appointed by the President of the USA; they are confirmed by the Senate for 5-year terms. No more than three members may belong to the same political party.
The two Democrats, Mignon Clyburn (D-SC) and Jessica Rosenworcel (D-CT), support Net Neutrality.
The three Republicans, Ajit Pai (R-KS, Chairman, appointed by Trump), Brendan Carr (R-VA) and Michael O’Rielly (R-NY)—want to end it.
- Ars Technica: Ajit Pai offers no data for latest claim that net neutrality hurt small ISPs
- Business Insider: The FCC plans to repeal net neutrality this week — and it could ruin the internet
- Forbes: When the FCC Kills Net Neutrality, Here’s What Your Internet Could Look Like
- Global News (CA): Why Canadians should care about internet changes in the U.S.
- The New York Times: Net Neutrality’s Holes in Europe May Offer Peek at Future in U.S.
- Wired: How the FCC’s Net Neutrality Plan Breaks with 50 Years of History
fivezero 
I listened to a whole podcast on this topic to better understand it. It’s also difficult to find unbiased information on what net neutrality is. In some ways, I can see both sides of the argument but preserving net neutrality is better as a whole. I feel like there’s nothing I can do from here though…
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There does seem to be a lot of confusing info and even misinformation about it—to be honest, I feel like that’s how a lot of news is these days. Probably how we (the US, anyway) got to this point in time, ugh. I tend to believe in a healthy amount of regulation, as I don’t think corporations can be trusted at all to do what is good for society. Left to their own devices, a corporation only cares about the bottom line. Understandably, there are concerns about gov’t handling it, as well, but at least the people generally have a voice when it comes to who is governing.
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OMG, The decision today! UGH!!!
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Forgone conclusion, really—selling out the people to the big corporations is what they do. The current administration look to be trying to destroy as much as they can of the country (just look at how they’ve gutted the EPA, education, and the National Park Service) before next year’s midterms.
A number of states are already suing the FCC over this; be interesting to see what lies ahead. I hope Canada stays sane throughout this!
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