Lauren Walinski
Staff Writer
On Dec. 14, the FCC plans to vote on whether or not they should repeal net neutrality. Currently, they lean towards gutting the protections, which should concern every single American citizen. Why? To start, having net neutrality means that internet providers cannot control internet usage by censoring, throttling, or forcing consumers to pay extra. Without it, internet providers such as Comcast, AT&T, or Verizon could make their customers pay extra in order to access things such as social media, streaming sites, news sites, or anything else they wanted by slowing severely slowing internet speeds on these sites for those who have not paid.
Consumers may have to pay each and every time the site is accessed. Internet service providers could also block content entirely if they wanted, creating unfair censorship. In fact, before net neutrality laws were put in place, many companies were caught doing just this. Two examples among many include AOL being caught not delivering any emails criticizing their site. Comcast temporarily blocking Google and Gmail to try and coerce consumers into creating comcast email accounts instead. Verizon was discovered blocking people from signing up for an activism-based text message update system. The internet provider Madison River Communications, a phone company, was caught blocking online phone calls (including 911 calls) in an attempt to keep consumers from switching from their company. Without net neutrality protections guaranteeing a free and open internet, this sort of censoring could return. Consumers like you could find themselves paying extra to use social media or google drive, things most students use every day. Net neutrality is a necessity in our current culture, and every single person should be alarmed at the possibility of it being repealed.
People around the country are trying to help keep net neutrality. The FCC’s website has been flooded with over 22 million comments about net neutrality, however the FCC has decided it will no longer listen to public opinion. It would only listen if complaints or criticisms were in serious legal terms or presented new facts. Still, people have been calling and writing to their Representatives and Senators and urging them to spare and protect net neutrality and all the protections it offers.
Even here in school, students can help fight the repeal of net neutrality. Speak to Mr. Giorgi if you would like to help get involved in writing or signing a letter to local senators or representatives to help protect free, open, and equal access to the internet. You can also send your message directly to Congress by signing one of the following petitions:
