Protests mount online and offline over impending FCC Net Neutrality vote

Posted:
in General Discussion edited December 2017
The Federal Communications Commission is scheduled to vote on a possible repeal of net neutrality rules later today, but as the decision-making time draws closer, Internet users continue to fight the proposals of FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, taking to Twitter and protesting outside government buildings to pass the message and attempt to influence the result.




The vote, which seeks to reverse Obama-era rules that forces Internet providers to handle all data equally, is set to take place on Thursday at 10:30am ET (7:30 am PT). It is believed that the Republican-dominated FCC will vote in favor of the rollback, with Chairman Pai and Commissioners Michael O'Rielly and Brendan Carr backing Pai's proposal.

In the final minutes before the vote, Internet denizens are attempting to make themselves heard by congregating outside government buildings. The protests have also taken place outside the FCC itself, with citizens bearing signs urging the FCC to reconsider, among other attempts to get the message out.

Protestors have also congregated outside major businesses that would be affected by the decision, including stores for national carrier Verizon.



Online, concerned parties are spreading around messages in images warning of the vote and its potential consequences if it passes. Some users on Twitter are also circulating the contact details for the five-member FCC board, asking others to make contact by tweets, e-mails, and by phone calls.

The online protests are not limited to private individuals, with prominent figures also passing comment. Governor Tom Wolf (Dem, PA) tweeted a link for constituents to look up their members of Congress and to "tell them to oppose the FCC decision to the end."

There's still time to fight for the free and open internet. Look up your Congress members here and tell them to oppose the FCC decision to end #NetNeutrality: https://t.co/OZOHfKsQQz pic.twitter.com/YXiOnmVBuA

-- Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf)


Announced on November 21, Pai's proposal eliminates the rules put in place by the FCC in 2015 that enables net neutrality. The proposal removes the classification of Internet service providers as a common carrier, stripping the legal authority of the FCC to regulate the behavior of providers, and opening up the possibility of so-called Internet "fast lanes."

The previous FCC board "imposed heavy-handed, utility-style regulations upon the Internet," said Pai at the time of the proposal, claiming it "depressed investment in building and expanding broadband networks and deterred innovation." The proposal would keep the federal government from "micromanaging the Internet," claimed the chairman, with the rules instead requiring transparency from providers about their practices.

The FCC will also neuter its supervisory powers under the proposal, passing to the Federal Trade Commission the task of suing companies that break promises made in statements to the public.



Apple has previously written to the FCC in support of Net Neutrality, declaring "Apple remains open to alternative sources of legal authority, but only if they provide for strong, enforceable, and legally sustainable protections, like those in place today. Simply put, the internet is too important to consumers and too essential to innovation to be left unprotected and uncertain."

The vote will be available to watch in a live stream from the FCC website.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 29
    It is what it is - Pai has always stridently followed his party line, there was never really any doubt what would happen if he became chairman - his party won the election - losing has consequences. I hope my preferred party wins next time, in the meantime I register my opposition to the removal of net neutrality rules and I suck it up. 
  • Reply 2 of 29
    If you don't like the product they want to sell you then don't buy it. Would you buy a car from a company if you knew sometimes or on some roads is would not go over 20 miles an hour. So the only effective recourse we have is to not buy the product. As impractical or unfeasible that may be.  Welcome to Capitalism at it's best.
  • Reply 3 of 29
    kent909 said:
    If you don't like the product they want to sell you then don't buy it. Would you buy a car from a company if you knew sometimes or on some roads is would not go over 20 miles an hour. So the only effective recourse we have is to not buy the product. As impractical or unfeasible that may be.  Welcome to Capitalism at it's best.
    Crony capitalism created so-called “Net Neutrality”. That’s not real competition. Getting rid of this rubbish will bring back competition.
    edited December 2017 macseekerRacerhomieXboltsfan17randominternetperson
  • Reply 4 of 29
    spice-boyspice-boy Posts: 1,450member
    kent909 said:
    If you don't like the product they want to sell you then don't buy it. Would you buy a car from a company if you knew sometimes or on some roads is would not go over 20 miles an hour. So the only effective recourse we have is to not buy the product. As impractical or unfeasible that may be.  Welcome to Capitalism at it's best.
    More "free market" nonsense, we are not talking about a product this is about giving preferred service to those that can afford to pay more for it. The internet is as vital to our society as the water we get from our home taps. When the free market takes over such a service it will surely benefit the wealthy at the expense of the rest of us. Why should Amazon's website run faster than a small company's website? This is like rich people getting to use a fast lane on the highway while the rest of us get bogged down in traffic. You don't consider our highways and roads a "product" do you because it is a public system for transportation maintained by state and federal governments. Why should the internet be different? 
    edited December 2017 frankiemuthuk_vanalingamdigital_guy
  • Reply 5 of 29
    kent909 said:
    If you don't like the product they want to sell you then don't buy it. Would you buy a car from a company if you knew sometimes or on some roads is would not go over 20 miles an hour. So the only effective recourse we have is to not buy the product. As impractical or unfeasible that may be.  Welcome to Capitalism at it's best.
    Crony capitalism created so-called “Net Neutrality”. That’s not real competition. Getting rid of this rubbish will bring back competition.
    Please explain how my experience with Comcast will improve when, where  I live when there is no one to compete with. It is the only choice I have for Internet that has acceptable speeds and no ridiculously low data caps. Please tell me exactly how this is going to make my Internet experience better. Or are you just parroting the BS line off "Trust me". Since Obama's FCC implemented the current rules my Internet connection has gone from 25mbs to 150 mbs for the same cost. Are you implying that with the changes today I will get gigabit speeds at half the cost?
    edited December 2017 frankiemuthuk_vanalingamdigital_guyjony0
  • Reply 6 of 29
    kent909 said:
    If you don't like the product they want to sell you then don't buy it. Would you buy a car from a company if you knew sometimes or on some roads is would not go over 20 miles an hour. So the only effective recourse we have is to not buy the product. As impractical or unfeasible that may be.  Welcome to Capitalism at it's best.
    Crony capitalism created so-called “Net Neutrality”. That’s not real competition. Getting rid of this rubbish will bring back competition.
    HAHA!  You have to be kidding right?
    edited December 2017 muthuk_vanalingamjony0
  • Reply 7 of 29
    sdw2001sdw2001 Posts: 18,015member
    spice-boy said:
    kent909 said:
    If you don't like the product they want to sell you then don't buy it. Would you buy a car from a company if you knew sometimes or on some roads is would not go over 20 miles an hour. So the only effective recourse we have is to not buy the product. As impractical or unfeasible that may be.  Welcome to Capitalism at it's best.
    More "free market" nonsense, we are not talking about a product this is about giving preferred service to those that can afford to pay more for it. The internet is as vital to our society as the water we get from our home taps. When the free market takes over such a service it will surely benefit the wealthy at the expense of the rest of us. Why should Amazon's website run faster than a small company's website? This is like rich people getting to use a fast lane on the highway while the rest of us get bogged down in traffic. You don't consider our highways and roads a "product" do you because it is a public system for transportation maintained by state and federal governments. Why should the internet be different? 

    You are making an argument I agree with.  However, there are other factors.  Net Neutrality is not all its cracked up to be.  It's not clear to me that it actually benefits consumers.  It's really about government control vs. private sector control.  Given the choice, I usually come down for the latter.  
    ben20randominternetpersonSpamSandwich
  • Reply 8 of 29
    spice-boyspice-boy Posts: 1,450member

    kent909 said:
    If you don't like the product they want to sell you then don't buy it. Would you buy a car from a company if you knew sometimes or on some roads is would not go over 20 miles an hour. So the only effective recourse we have is to not buy the product. As impractical or unfeasible that may be.  Welcome to Capitalism at it's best.
    Crony capitalism created so-called “Net Neutrality”. That’s not real competition. Getting rid of this rubbish will bring back competition.
    Competition is the answer to everything in life even in a consumer capitalist nation like the USA. I have no idea what "Crony capitalism" could you explain that? If anything it was a liberal social along with a sensible conservative legislative government which created net neutrality so that everyone would get equal access to one of the most important services in the 21st century. You don't have to be a liberal progressive to believe in equality it was one of the original (although still not realized) ideas of our founding fathers. 
  • Reply 9 of 29
    sdw2001sdw2001 Posts: 18,015member
    kent909 said:
    kent909 said:
    If you don't like the product they want to sell you then don't buy it. Would you buy a car from a company if you knew sometimes or on some roads is would not go over 20 miles an hour. So the only effective recourse we have is to not buy the product. As impractical or unfeasible that may be.  Welcome to Capitalism at it's best.
    Crony capitalism created so-called “Net Neutrality”. That’s not real competition. Getting rid of this rubbish will bring back competition.
    Please explain how my experience with Comcast will improve when, where  I live when there is no one to compete with. It is the only choice I have for Internet that has acceptable speeds and no ridiculously low data caps. Please tell me exactly how this is going to make my Internet experience better. Or are you just parroting the BS line off "Trust me". Since Obama's FCC implemented the current rules my Internet connection has gone from 25mbs to 150 mbs for the same cost. Are you implying that with the changes today I will get gigabit speeds at half the cost?

    You honestly believe that your internet and cost has gotten better because of "net neutrality?"  That's extremely misinformed.  Neutrality has nothing to do with the number of ISP's in your area.  Or what they charge.  It has to do with whether or not Comcast can reach a deal with, say, Netflix to deliver their content faster for a fee.  It has to do with whether Verizon can waive data caps for video.  True, it could affect small companies, but it's not like they would get throttled.   We're talking about Netflix getting delivered at 200mbs vs. Joe Bloe's video service getting delivered at 100mbs.  
    RacerhomieXSpamSandwich
  • Reply 10 of 29
    GeorgeBMacGeorgeBMac Posts: 11,421member
    The internet is a national asset -- like roads and bridges and the electric grid.
    And, like those things, it's health and well being is essential to the future of this nation.  With a solid infrastructure we can thrive.  Without it we will whither...

    The MAGA people had a choice on whether to make America great -- or make Comcast and Verizon rich.  The former Verizon exec they put in charge of regulating Verizon chose the latter.   Why is that a surprise?

    This will likely be followed by their "infrastructure" plan to sell our roads and bridges to the highest bidder -- or the lowest if he's a Republican.

    Some confuse making the rich richer with keeping America great.


    macxpressmuthuk_vanalingamzoetmbjony0
  • Reply 11 of 29
    “Net Neutrality” is typical political naming misdirection. Politicians and big corporations aren’t supporting it out of the kindness of their hearts they all get something out of it which is limiting ISPs and handing over the power to companies like Google and Facebook. If you limit ISPs then what insentive is there for them to continue to increase their speeds? 

    By the way, cellular services have NEVER had “net neutrality” and look at the progress we’ve had over the years in terms of service and speed! Please you idiots, actually inform yourselves before you start voting for legislation. It seems all people do is hear the word NEUTRALITY and they think it’s a good thing when they know nothing about it. 

    https://youtu.be/G35g5HQVjpU
    randominternetpersonSpamSandwich
  • Reply 12 of 29
    For those who want net neutrality gone, please stop believing the lies that say the government is controlling the internet with net neutrality. Those who tell you that are either naive or trying to manipulate you. The government is not controlling the content on the internet, except to make sure all content has the same priority and that those with commercial interests can’t prioritise some content over other content.

    I am all for small government and lean toward conservative ideas, but I’m extremely disappointed by the naievety of the ‘right’ in commercialising the internet and those who are deliberately misleading people in order to accomplish it. The internet has come a long way in its technical foundation, and it is only a matter of time before people with money making interests and no respect for anything but their wallet will take advantage of it. It’s not a theoretical possibility that ‘the market’ will fix, its guaranteed. 

    muthuk_vanalingamGeorgeBMacjony0
  • Reply 13 of 29
    we continue on the progressive freak of 2017 out that people actually have opinions that don’t agree with theirs! omg!!! who would have thought!??? when you look at the companies that are for this, the term the left coast comes to mind, but also incumbants locking in their advantage.

    it’s kinda sad to see that the tech industry has such a partisan element to it.

    Reason.com has done some of the best reporting of all on this. It shows off their libertarian bent. There’s a nice 30 minute video interview they did with Ajit. http://reason.com/blog/2017/01/31/donald-trump-may-try-to-stifle-freedom-o

    given the 2016 campaign of economic illiteracy of Sanders and Trump, it’s nice to see Ajit Pai bringing us back to the origiinal innovation of Clinton with regards to the internet.
    randominternetpersonSpamSandwich
  • Reply 14 of 29
    badmonkbadmonk Posts: 1,285member
    Having the FCC abrogate it’s mandate to regulate the internet is like the Federal Government passing on regulating the banks...where did that get us?

    And this article follows the Russians directing internet traffic into their country.  The internet is a utility and needs the regulation and protection of the government.
    GeorgeBMacjony0
  • Reply 15 of 29
    GeorgeBMacGeorgeBMac Posts: 11,421member
    jon.pdx said:
    we continue on the progressive freak of 2017 out that people actually have opinions that don’t agree with theirs! omg!!! who would have thought!??? when you look at the companies that are for this, the term the left coast comes to mind, but also incumbants locking in their advantage.

    it’s kinda sad to see that the tech industry has such a partisan element to it.

    Reason.com has done some of the best reporting of all on this. It shows off their libertarian bent. There’s a nice 30 minute video interview they did with Ajit. http://reason.com/blog/2017/01/31/donald-trump-may-try-to-stifle-freedom-o

    given the 2016 campaign of economic illiteracy of Sanders and Trump, it’s nice to see Ajit Pai bringing us back to the origiinal innovation of Clinton with regards to the internet.
    So, in today's post-truth environment of Alternative Facts, it's all just "opinion" and nothing matters?
    ...  OK, Thanks for letting us know...

    We value your opinion.
  • Reply 16 of 29
    zoetmbzoetmb Posts: 2,654member
    kent909 said:
    If you don't like the product they want to sell you then don't buy it. Would you buy a car from a company if you knew sometimes or on some roads is would not go over 20 miles an hour. So the only effective recourse we have is to not buy the product. As impractical or unfeasible that may be.  Welcome to Capitalism at it's best.
    Crony capitalism created so-called “Net Neutrality”. That’s not real competition. Getting rid of this rubbish will bring back competition.
    Net neutrality doesn't stop competition.   It stops ISPs, which already have little competition  from turning the internet, which was funded by taxpayers, into a "whoever pays the most gets good service" enterprise.   It means that every small business and small website might be screwed.   And it will mean higher subscription charges for the big sites, because the ISPs will hold them hostage.  
    GeorgeBMacjony0
  • Reply 17 of 29
    The internet is a national asset -- like roads and bridges and the electric grid.
    And, like those things, it's health and well being is essential to the future of this nation.  With a solid infrastructure we can thrive.  Without it we will whither...

    The MAGA people had a choice on whether to make America great -- or make Comcast and Verizon rich.  The former Verizon exec they put in charge of regulating Verizon chose the latter.   Why is that a surprise?

    This will likely be followed by their "infrastructure" plan to sell our roads and bridges to the highest bidder -- or the lowest if he's a Republican.

    Some confuse making the rich richer with keeping America great.


    I hope you realize four out of the five FCC commissioners are Obama appointees.  
    SpamSandwich
  • Reply 18 of 29
    sdw2001sdw2001 Posts: 18,015member
    georgie01 said:
    For those who want net neutrality gone, please stop believing the lies that say the government is controlling the internet with net neutrality. Those who tell you that are either naive or trying to manipulate you. The government is not controlling the content on the internet, except to make sure all content has the same priority and that those with commercial interests can’t prioritise some content over other content.

    I am all for small government and lean toward conservative ideas, but I’m extremely disappointed by the naievety of the ‘right’ in commercialising the internet and those who are deliberately misleading people in order to accomplish it. The internet has come a long way in its technical foundation, and it is only a matter of time before people with money making interests and no respect for anything but their wallet will take advantage of it. It’s not a theoretical possibility that ‘the market’ will fix, its guaranteed. 

    And I’m disappointed people think “net neutrality” actually means just making companies treat all data the same.   
    SpamSandwich
  • Reply 19 of 29
    zoetmb said:
    kent909 said:
    If you don't like the product they want to sell you then don't buy it. Would you buy a car from a company if you knew sometimes or on some roads is would not go over 20 miles an hour. So the only effective recourse we have is to not buy the product. As impractical or unfeasible that may be.  Welcome to Capitalism at it's best.
    Crony capitalism created so-called “Net Neutrality”. That’s not real competition. Getting rid of this rubbish will bring back competition.
    Net neutrality doesn't stop competition.   It stops ISPs, which already have little competition  from turning the internet, which was funded by taxpayers, into a "whoever pays the most gets good service" enterprise.   It means that every small business and small website might be screwed.   And it will mean higher subscription charges for the big sites, because the ISPs will hold them hostage.  
    Government has no authority to regulate any of this stuff. The FCC should be abolished and private agreements and competitive pressures should shape which companies are winners and losers. Competition is a good thing! Let it work.
  • Reply 20 of 29
    Mike WuertheleMike Wuerthele Posts: 6,858administrator
    zoetmb said:
    kent909 said:
    If you don't like the product they want to sell you then don't buy it. Would you buy a car from a company if you knew sometimes or on some roads is would not go over 20 miles an hour. So the only effective recourse we have is to not buy the product. As impractical or unfeasible that may be.  Welcome to Capitalism at it's best.
    Crony capitalism created so-called “Net Neutrality”. That’s not real competition. Getting rid of this rubbish will bring back competition.
    Net neutrality doesn't stop competition.   It stops ISPs, which already have little competition  from turning the internet, which was funded by taxpayers, into a "whoever pays the most gets good service" enterprise.   It means that every small business and small website might be screwed.   And it will mean higher subscription charges for the big sites, because the ISPs will hold them hostage.  
    Government has no authority to regulate any of this stuff. The FCC should be abolished and private agreements and competitive pressures should shape which companies are winners and losers. Competition is a good thing! Let it work.
    This is quite possibly the worst idea I've heard regarding everything the FCC does that I have ever heard.
    edited December 2017 GeorgeBMacjony0
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