The principle that governments and Internet Service Providers, etc., should not restrict or interfere in any way with users’ access to the internet.
Net neutrality was last a matter for serious debate three years ago, but the principle that all internet data should be equally treated, with no preference being given to the big players by the ISPs, has held firm but is now again under threat. Netflix, Facebook and others have voiced opposition to any change in net neutrality.
The unwritten rule of net neutrality was made official in 2015 during President Obama’s administration, but President Trump’s appointee as head of the US Federal Communications Commission, Ajit Pai, is now challenging that. He would like to repeal the rules that define ISPs as utilities. His view is that they adversely affect jobs and investment, and might eventually mean the “government controlling the internet”.
Some of the major ISPs based in the US, including Verizon and AT&T, understand that the public prefers net neutrality. However, they also feel that the 2015 net neutrality reclassification order might eventually lead to government regulation of the internet.
Voicing its support of net neutrality Google published the following: the “internet has grown to become an unrivalled source of choice, competition, innovation, free expression, and opportunity. And it should stay that way.”
net neutrality
the principle that governments, ISPs etc should not restrict or interfere with users’ access to the internet
There’s a debate heating up in Washington, DC on something called “net neutrality” – and it’s a debate that’s so important Google is asking you to get involved.
