Net neutrality is an open internet access. it allows everyone to use the internet freely without any charges to particular websites or apps. it is the idea that internet server providers are considered common carriers or public utilities, which means isps must provide access to all websites regardless of their content.
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how did we manage to get here? |
how will it affect us? |
it all started in 1934, when franklin d. Roosevelt signed the communications act. the common carrier regulations, which means they had to treat all the traffic on the network equally. in 2005, the commission adopts new principles: to encourage broadband deployment and preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public internet, etc. this was meant to keep discrimination from getting out of hand, but the principles were getting pretty weak and in 2007 Comcast broke them. The FCC didn't like what Comcast did so in 2008, they investigate and asserts its regulatory powers over Comcast. In 2010 the FCC lost their fight in the court against Comcast. On December 21, 2010 the FCC introduces the open internet order, meant to explicitly outlaw discrimination. In 2014, the court decides that open internet only applies to "common carriers" and not ISP. In 2015, FCC votes to protect the internet with Title II regulation, which was a big win for net neutrality.
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net neutrality affects gamers, youtubers, business, consumers, and even teachers and students. your internet provider could influence what you see and how quickly you see it. with net neutrality repealed it could affect business. for example Netflix, Netflix is booming right now so they could pay isps to load their streaming services faster, but business who cant afford it their services will go slower. it could also lead to higher prices for you.
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everyone who uses the internet benefits from net neutrality. democrats support net neutrality.
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