The Pros And Cons Of Repealing Net Neutrality

On December 14, 2017, the FCC voted to repeal net neutrality with a 3-2 vote. This will completely change our ability to access the internet. Net neutrality is the guiding principle behind our internet access. Removing it diminishes our access to the internet. Who would want unequal access to the internet? Net neutrality allows to internet to be open and free, but now the internet is at risk. Net neutrality is a basic internet right that we should have because of the openness and how it allows us to communicate freely without it being discriminated against by big corporations. Some people will argue that repealing net neutrality was a good decision. Ben Shapiro, who is a writer for The Daily Wire wrote an article called “7 Reasons Net Neutrality

People were able to view anything they wanted to. Since we can view websites equally, we can say what we want on any website. Net neutrality protects our right to free speech. The Supreme Court recently observed that internet platforms “can provide perhaps the most powerful mechanism available to a private citizen to make his or her voice heard.” and if they put restrictions on what we can view and where we can speak freely, then our right to free speech is being fringed upon. Sevin in ten American adults use at least one internet social networking service regularly. Facebook has more than 1.79 billion monthly active, Twitter has over 310 million monthly active users who tweet more than 500 million tweets each day, Instagram has over 600 million monthly users who upload over 95 million photos every day, and Snapchat has over 100 million daily users who send and watch over 10 billion videos per day (ElectronicFrontierFoundation). What’s my point? My point is that we as Americans use social media a lot to express ourselves and speak freely and openly. This repeal of net neutrality could result in us not being able to speak freely

Title II of the Communications Act involves the idea of “common carrier” and how broadband providers act as common carriers similar to how telephone networks. A common carrier simply means that a company will deliver goods (as in access to the internet) at set rates. So since net neutrality was embracing Title II, rules were created against blocking and discrimination of websites. Title II also helped protect consumers privacy rights. Section 222 within Title II requires “telecommunications carriers to protect customer proprietary network information.” (PublicKnowledge). This allowed rules to be put in place that prevent ISPs from tracking online behavior of their consumers without their permission. Title II is crucial for keeping the internet open and equal but also for preserving the values of Americans. It has to stay in place preserve the values of our communication