The Federal Communications Commission took to a vote earlier this month to repeal the net neutrality rules they originally put in place in 2015. While the repeal is good news for large telecommunications and internet companies, it will likely mean higher prices and less choices for consumers.
Net neutrality is the principle that all traffic on the internet should be treated equally. Under current protections, internet service providers are barred from blocking, slowing, or providing preferred treatment to certain sites and services. These rules are designed to keep the internet open to all, giving everyone a fair shot. With the repeal against these protections, ISPs now have the power to block you from streaming video like Netflix, or charge you extra in order to access a site like that. ISPs could also force the Netflix and YouTube’s of the world to pay more to ensure their videos continue to be streamed at the same speed and quality as other sites. It is easy to see how this repeal may fundamentally reshape the internet as we know it; the repeal might limit a consumers choices or cost you more money.
The new proposal will allow companies to block, slow, or provide fast lanes to particular sites, and their only responsibility would be to disclose these practices to consumers. To learn more about why the FCC wanted to repeal net neutrality, and what will happen after the repeal, visit here.
