UPDATE: 12/14/17 2:23 PM EST
Looks like public opinion doesn’t matter to the Federal Communications Committee. Despite overwhelming bipartisan support for net neutrality, the FCC voted today to end protections and it could cost us all. The FCC has opened up the World Wide Web to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The final vote was 3 for to 2 against. Buzzfeed explains more of what this means for consumers and companies alike.
In the meantime the FCC had better get ready for a legal battle. New York’s Attorney General says he will sue to block this move. This is one of many lawsuits announced following the decision.
I will sue to stop the FCC’s illegal rollback of #netneutrality. New Yorkers and all Americans deserve a free and open internet. pic.twitter.com/BNW7TDsp4z
— Eric Schneiderman (@AGSchneiderman) December 14, 2017
***Net Neutrality: The End . (Nov 21, 2017)
In yet another Obama-era rollback, the Federal Communications Commission is ending net neutrality. This is a big deal if you happen to use the internet (anybody?).
What does it mean? President Obama and his FCC appointees believed the internet should be for everyone. High speed access open to all. Donald Trump thinks differently. He, and his new FCC chairman, want to allow companies to be able to slow down your searches unless you pay a premium. In other words, if you have the money to afford it, no problem. But if you’re income restricted, this could be a huge issue. Politico has a good video explainer.
But it’s about more than just speed. Let’s say you want to shop online for a particular product. Without net neutrality, internet service providers might be able to direct your search to a brand that it’s affiliated with, or block you from sites it doesn’t like, or do business with. All in the name of $$$$$. Or, if an ISP doesn’t like the editorial bent of a news website, it could slow traffic and make it difficult for that website to load. This is why the Obama administration wanted to treat the internet like a utility. Equality for everyone. That’s suddenly gone.
If this concerns you as a consumer, stand by. You can bet lawsuits are coming as fast as a high-speed connection. Obama’s idea of an equally fast internet for all is about to give way to the GOP and big business. And it’s all because there’s a lot of money to be made in being a traffic cop on the internet.