Net Neutrality: the end times

The FCC wants to end net neutrality, and the public outcry is severe. But what is Net neutrality, and what is happening that could end it? What will happen if net neutrality is repealed?

Net Neutrality is essentially the freedom of the internet and free speech, allowing for free communication, open networks and access of content without being blocked or discrimination of said content. It was started in 2015 by the FCC, and they are going to vote to possibly repeal Net Neutrality on Dec 14.

Without Net Neutrality, various large cable and phone companies gain control of the internet, various websites would be taken down if said companies don’t agree with them, and they could charge people for accessing the internet and those activities would be monitored. ISPs would use the internet as a method of grabbing money from people who wish to use it. Small businesses who rely on the internet would suffer. Many would call it “the death of the internet.” Many Internet service providers say that they wouldn’t go through with it, but some took back those statements anyway.

Millions of people cried out against the FCC decision. FCC chairman Pai seems to ignore the immense public outcry and will still go through with the vote to repeal Net Neutrality. Since there will be no replacement for net neutrality, something that will protect the people’s right to be on the internet, everything that was mentioned above will happen. The internet, the thing most people in America probably use everyday, would not be worth it, just another cash grab by large corporations that could censor information that they don’t like.

This would be violating the people’s freedom of speech. So why even remove it in the first place? The FCC claims that removing Net Neutrality would “facilitate broadband innovation and investment,” and to create “internet freedom” and to “fix the internet” of which most people disagree with. Yesterday, protests began nationwide to preserve net neutrality, but those protests somehow fell on deaf ears, despite the immensity of the public and political outcry, and even reports that Pai’s house had been covered in cardboard signs protesting against the upcoming vote.