Net Neutrality

When you go online you have certain expectations. You expect to be connected to whatever website you want. You expect that your cable or phone company isn't messing with the data and is connecting you to all websites, applications and content you choose. You expect to be in control of your internet experience. You expect net neutrality.Net neutrality is the principle that internet service providers must treat all data on the internet the same, and not discriminate or charge differently by user, content, website, platform, application, type of attached equipment or method of communication. Net neutrality is the way that the internet has always worked.Under President George Bush, the FCC outlined a series of guiding principles that would eventually lead to the 2015 net neutrality rules. Then, FCC Chairman Michael Powell, in a 2004 speech, said Internet users should enjoy four fundamental freedoms: The freedom to access any web content of their choice, so long as it was legal, the freedom to use any online application, the freedom to use their home broadband connections on any device and the freedom to access subscription information from their own providers. But the FCC Chairman of 2017, Ajit Pai, wants to repeal net neutrality rules. And as of Dec. 14, 2017, he has succeeded. Net neutrality has been repealed, allowing internet providers to speed up, slow down or block service for apps and websites, despite a recent survey showing that 83% of Americans -- including three out of four republicans -- opposed the plan to remove net neutrality. The internet without net neutrality isn't even really the internet. Unlike the free and open internet, we have today, it will become a closed-down network where cable and phone companies call the shots and decide which websites or content succeed. This reminds me of the book 1984 in which the government, which is the highest power, controls the media. They removed anything they disliked and decided what citizens hear and see. The government was able to set all the prices, organize any events and kill anyone they want without anyone being able to say anything because they could just keep it off the media and then kill the person who was against them. The people didn’t even know which country they were at war with. This kind of internet could brainwash future generations, that is, if the future generations would ever be able to load the internet.Companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon will now be able to decide who is heard and who isn't. They are able to block websites or content they don't like, along with any applications that compete with their own offerings. Internet users will only be able to see news content that phone companies like.The situation would be even worse for marginalized communities. Organizations -- like DACA protesters -- could lose the ability to form meetups or protests. The powerful companies and media would be able to quiet these people, making it almost impossible for groups to make themselves known. The president’s wall wouldn’t have to be physical at that point, because the wall would be online, preventing anyone from being able to find information they need to get started on a new life. The 1% was already in control of the economy, and now they have control over the Internet.We, the people, need to fight these companies that are taking over before our government is replaced by monarchy or dictatorship. Net neutrality is part of the basic human right that is freedom of speech. These companies are now allowed to slow us down, or prohibit what we say and put on the internet. It will cost money to get better speed, and then it will cost money to access the websites you want! Some people who don’t get as much money won’t even be able to afford the internet. Freedom of speech is a basic human right and net neutrality is a part of that right. Don’t let the monarchs take over, it’s time for another good ol’ American rebellion.