Net Neutrality Arguments: Internet Mocks What Deregulated Future May Look Like

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced Tuesday it would seek to end regulations that stopped internet providers from limiting to access to certain websites and charging different prices for access to certain parts of the web. Internet and tech companies stand in stark opposition to the move — wanting people to have access to all internet sites, without having to pay extra. Internet users also mocked up photos envisioning what the end of net neutrality might look like.

The proposal would allow internet providers to block or slow down certain websites or charge variable rates for different streaming quality or other internet services. Regulations that created net neutrality prohibited this behavior. FCC chairman Ajit Pai put forward the proposal, which will be taken up in Dec. 14 vote, as a signature piece of his deregulation agenda. Pai, a Republican, was installed by President Donald Trump. The commission has five seats and the vote is expected to fall along party lines, with the three Republican members voting in favor.

“Under my proposal, the federal government will stop micromanaging the internet,” said Pai in a statement. “Instead, the FCC would simply require internet service providers to be transparent about their practices so that consumers can buy the service plan that’s best for them and entrepreneurs and other small businesses can have the technical information they need to innovate.”

Several internet companies are strongly opposed to the move.

“The FCC’s net neutrality rules are working well for consumers, and we’re disappointed in the proposal released today,” said Google in a statement.

Netflix also said that they didn’t support the FCC.

“Netflix supports strong #NetNeutrality. We oppose the FCC's proposal to roll back these core protections,” said Netflix in a tweet.

Earlier this year a large number of websites participated in an online protest to preserve the open internet, asking people to call their congressional leaders. The websites included Netflix, Reddit, Vimeo and Twitter.