As John Oliver famously joked, “net†and “neutrality†are undoubtedly two of the most boring words in the English language. Put them together and… well, it’s hard to engage such an abstract concept. However, net neutrality is anything but, and ultimately poses a significant threat to not only the quality of our Internet service, but freedom of speech, our ability to access information freely and the Internet as we know it. And yes, the rumours are true; your memes are at stake.
According to Fortune, net neutrality stands on the principle of equal access to content, and ensures that Internet service providers do not favour particular websites over others by slowing down load times or blocking content.
Let’s take a look at the reasons why the threat of a non-neutral Internet should frighten you.
5: Internet service providers stand to make an enormous profit by upending net neutrality
Broadband providers have an enormous stake in the end of net neutrality: they will ultimately monopolize content and negate which websites users can access by implementing premiums that favour their own corporate interests. So…
4: Its dismantlement will have implications for consumers
You may have to pay premiums to access content that was once free. By dividing the Internet into slow and fast lanes, corporate giants will desecrate any competition, which affects you, the consumer, first and foremost. However, this will also affect the growth of independent businesses.
3: A non-neutral Internet privileges some users over others
Imagine having to pay for Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram? Neither can we. A non-neutral Internet will privilege users who can afford to pay additional premiums. This is enormously problematic because it shatters the very foundation upon which the Internet was built: equal access for all.
2: Net neutrality has political implications
Why do you think dismantling net neutrality is so appealing to the likes of Donald Trump? According to The Guardian, ending net neutrality serves a political agenda, which seeks to regulate media distribution in favour of a restructured version of what we currently know. Can you guess why? I’ll give you a hint: it might have something to do with Fake News.
1: It protects free speech
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), network neutrality is “one of the foremost free speech issues of our timeâ€. The Internet has been a forum for free speech, and its regulation essentially shatters that foundation.
What do you think of net neutrality and the threat of a non-neutral Internet? Let us know what you think in the comments, or check out our suggest page and vote.
If you want to know more, check out our video of the 10 Net Neutrality Facts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH6YitCL5VU.
08:57
