Extracted from Battle for the net. The P2P Foundation fully supports this protest. Click here for more resources to help save net neutrality.
WHAT IS NET NEUTRALITY?
Net neutrality is the basic principle that protects our free speech on the Internet. “Title II” of the Communications Act is what provides the legal foundation for net neutrality and prevents Internet Service Providers like Comcast, Verizon, and AT&T from slowing down and blocking websites, or charging apps and sites extra fees to reach an audience (which they then pass along to consumers.)
WHY IS NET NEUTRALITY IMPORTANT?
The Internet has thrived precisely because of net neutrality. It’s what makes it so vibrant and innovative—a place for creativity, free expression, and exchange of ideas. Without net neutrality, the Internet will become more like Cable TV, where the content you see is what your provider puts in front of you.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON JULY 12TH?
We’ll provide tools for everyone to make it super easy for your followers / visitors to take action. From the SOPA blackout to the Internet Slowdown, we’ve shown time and time again that when the Internet comes together, we can stop censorship and corruption. Now, we have to do it again!
Extra Reading
Here are some excellent articles for additional depth. They cover the issue, its political history, the struggles we’ve overcome, and the fight ahead in Congress and at the FCC.
- Comcast May Have Found a Major Net Neutrality Loophole Wired
- Verizon’s mobile video won’t count against data caps—but Netflix does Ars Technica
- HOW WE WON! Battle for the net
- The FCC’s Net Neutrality Order Protects Internet Freedom by Restoring the Law Medium
Photo by boyan_d; additional image by Free the Net