Net neutrality, also known as Network neutrality or The Open Internet, is the concept that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should treat all internet connections equally. It is a no exclusion principle that guarantees that everything on the web is available to everyone- old or young, rich or poor. It is a principle that ensures that the ISPs cannot discriminate against websites or control what users can or cannot see. Lets see more about the pros and cons of Net Neutrality.
PROs and CONs
PROS
- Freedom of speech and expression: Net neutrality ensures ISPs cannot block content or slow down the traffic of pages that they do not like. However, this does not include illegal content. Censoring unlawful content with or without net neutrality is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies.
- No additional costs for content promotion: In the absence of net neutrality, ISPs charge businesses or companies for improved services. When this happens, the companies take out the additional financial strain on the users.
- Equal treatment and opportunities: Net neutrality ensures that everyone on the net receives the same treatment. Users with more money or influence do not get preferential treatment. In the absence of net neutrality, ISPs can slow down the internet services of small companies or businesses that cannot afford to pay for fast lanes. It ensures that large companies do not have any advantage over start-ups.
- Zero exclusion: This means no one is excluded from anything on the web. Anyone can access anything as long as it’s on the internet. There is no need to pay inclusivity to high-quality content since it is equally available to everyone.
Cons
- Illicit or dangerous content is widely available: With net neutrality, illicit or dangerous content is sitting pretty on the internet waiting to be consumed, and it is difficult to control what users can access. Without net neutrality, ISPs can easily filter content and make the web a somewhat safe space.
- Data is free: Net neutrality allows users to pay for services alone but not for data consumed.
- Lack of new infrastructures: When users don’t pay for data consumed, ISPs can’t charge more for services, and there are not enough funds to invest in new infrastructures. The money that would have been realized from the proceeds of consumed data could be used to expand high-speed networks in local areas.
- Internet development: Some argue that the internet developed tremendously without net neutrality. It is said that most large internet corporations started and grew in the absence of net neutrality laws.
A Brief History Of The Fight Of Net Neutrality
In 2010, the former US President- Barack Obama instructed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to enforce net neutrality rules. He believed that It was a progressive cause and it was enshrined into the FCC policy. However, a few telecommunication companies sued the FCC and asked that the rule be overturned.
Years later, in 2015, Barack Obama asked that the FCC find a way to pass rules in support of net neutrality again. This time, the FCC was able to get it enshrined in their policy. This victory was short-lived as former President- Donald Trump came into presidential power the following year and rolled back the regulations. He also made it legal for information of internet users to be sold to advertisers.
This new policy was welcomed with open arms by the telecommunication companies much to the dissatisfaction of the public. By 2017, It was no longer a part of the FCC policy.
Net Neutrality Today
Where are we in 2022? Since former President- Donald Trump overturned Obama’s regulations on the open internet, not much has been done or said. The ISPs claim that they do not influence priority on the web, but it is hard to confirm if this is true or false.
Shortly after the overturn of the FCC policy, top Internet Service Providers in the US have come out in public to give their word not to violate any of the core principles of internet neutrality. There is no evidence to show or confirm they have kept their word.
Although the federal government plays a vital role in making decisions on pressing issues, states have the power to act in favor of their people.
The State of California took determined steps to establish net neutrality in its policy after it was overruled at the federal level by Donald Trump.
Very recently, after a series of challenges in court, California is now able to enforce net neutrality at the state level.
Issues
Other issues somehow connected to the open internet are the issues of privacy and browsing history and who exactly has access to it all. Are there people in control of our information? Is there privacy on the internet?
For now, we do not have ready answers to these questions and can only wait while keeping tabs on the activities of the ISPs.
Net neutrality, commonly called internet neutrality is the concept that Internet Service Providers treat all internet communications as equal and do not charge users differently based on websites, devices, applications, content, source address, or destination. It promotes fair competition and discourages the monopoly of corporations. Are the ISPs misusing the freedom they have? We can’t tell for now. If anything new does come up, you can return to read about it here.
