Haley Trecarichi
What is Net Neutrality?
Net neutrality is “the principle that all content on the Web should be shown on equal terms with all other content” (1).
Net Neutrality has been the basis for the internets rapid openness and freedom.
Net neutrality ensures that internet service providers (ISPs), such as Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, have no control over who can access what on the internet. Without net neutrality these large ISP’s could regulate their customers from reaching certain sites or platforms.
Why is Net Neutrality an important debate?
Net Neutrality is a hot topic in todays society because of the rapid growing use of the internet and the technological advancements that have occurred in the last decade. The principle of neutrality is affecting almost everyone in society because almost all of our society uses the internet.
According to the Journal of Internet Law, “it is first and foremost a normative debate, one that will deter- mine the role of the Internet in a democratic society, with profound implications for the daily welfare of mil- lions of citizens who rely on the Internet as a critical resource” (2).
How does Net Neutrality relate to Privacy Rights?
The idea of net neutrality is that the internet should be open and free to all people. Net neutrality is a result of free speech. When net neutrality does not exist, free speech does not exist. The internet is a portal where everyone is free to search, write, and publish whatever they want. When large industries or companies take this power away from the people, freedom of speech is put at risk.
The net neutrality debate has become a government regulation issue. Does Congress implementing a law validating net neutrality violate the ISP’s rights? On the other side, does the ISP regulating their customers online experience violate customer rights? The issue has become one of privacy rights because the internet has been a free, open entity for such a long time.
What are the consequences of no net neutrality?
The repeal of net neutrality has several consequences and impacts. One of these impacts is the impact on business that occurs online. Many companies conduct business online, “thus, any change to online access policies by service providers will affect all businesses in some capacity” (3). Another implication is the effect no net neutrality will have on online purchases. With an increase in technology, Amazon, Netflix, and other online retailers are taking over the industry. Almost every store now has an online website where people can also shop. With the repeal of net neutrality, ISP’s have the ability to slow a company website and therefore hurt their customer experience. The main appeal of online shopping is that it is quick and easy, when the process becomes difficult it could deteriorate customers away from that specific site.
As a 21 year old, the Internet has been apart of my life from the time I can remember. It started with online games on a PC, and social media platforms such as AIM and myspace. Over the years with technological advancements, I do not leave the house without the internet. My phone which has unlimited access to online is always with me and I spend an average of eight hours a day online. For me, the internet is not something I have ever seen as a privilege, it is something that I have had free, easy access to my whole life. I use the internet to communicate, to network, to shop, and to research. With the repeal of net neutrality this could all change.
The Web We Want Project
The Web We Want Project was created to defend, protect, and promote free will and openness of the internet. Their purpose is to “unleash the power of people across the globe to promote human rights online and a free and open Web” (4). The Web We Want Project has already made a change in some countries around the world. For example, the Web We Want Project has “helped to pass the world’s first “bill of rights for the Internet” in Brazil” (5). The project has also made significant impacts regarding internet and technology use in Turkey, Uganda, and even in the U.S. I believe the Web We Want Project is an effective platform in making a difference worldwide regarding internet usage. It is evident through the multiple ways it has already made a difference that the project works. The project has its purposes well defined and goals to enact those purposes. Although, I do believe that in addition to the Web We Project, government regulations should enact net neutrality around the world. I believe that law and regulation is the most appropriate way to ensure something gets done. A law enacting net neutrality will ensure that citizens have complete freedom to navigate the web to their liking and no privacy rights will be harmed.
(1) “Who Saved the Web?”, Solana Larsen, accessed January 22, 2020, https://webwewant.org/news/who-saved-the-web/“
(2) Transcending Net Neutrality: Ten Steps Toward an Open Internet, Journal of Internet Law, https://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1425&context=asc_papers
(3) Implications of net neutrality repeal
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/implications-of-net-neutrality-repeal-66118/
(4) “The Web We Want”, Nnenna Nwakanma, accessed January 2020. https://webfoundation.org/our-work/projects/web-we-want/
Haley's Blog 