The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), under the leadership of Ajit Pai, is striving to undo the provisions of Net Neutrality- a necessity for the freedom ideals of the modern society. If they succeed; we can rightly say that we have gone twenty years back in time- when the internet was not as developed as it is now.
In simple terms, net neutrality is the principle that provides us with the freedom to surf and explore the boundaries of the world wide web without having to pay for it.
It also guarantees that all internet services shall be provided to its users without any discrimination and/or payment.
By removing net neutrality, the great mind of Ajit Pai, despite already being rich, wants to get even richer by categorising internet contents into paid packages, which again, of course, will be monthly payments and not a one-time payment and tadaa! freedom. Well, nope.
The internet will no longer be a fundamental freedom right of its users but rather a leisure commodity that will need to be subscribed to via payments.
This seems very contradictory to the modern development plans of the world, where many countries are striving to provide free and easily accessible internet to its citizens, America, has taken a train back in time.
Having the FCC succeed would lead to undoing the development of the world wide web and deter future progress as well.
Although it’s an issue involving only the United States, it will, indirectly affect the other countries of the world as well.
Let’s take this as an example, a website or online training programme based off the United States which provides courses for free to its users all around the world- now get’s affected by the death of Net Neutrality.
Since they will have to now pay more than before for their packages and servers to stay up and running, they might make their services package-based and paid as well, which will directly affect its users.
Moreover, the efforts of removing Net Neutrality are rejected by the majority of the citizens of the United States, and hence, it would be wrong for us to just watch the show and not speak in favour of justice.
Not even 24 hours of this declaration are over and many reputed personalities are already vowing to sue the FCC for violation of fundamental freedom and such write-ups would be in their support and might actually deter the efforts of the FCC.
It is sad to see, how the government is not outrightly rejecting the effort of destroying net neutrality considering their documented statements;
“No state shall convert a liberty into a license, and charge a fee therefore.” (Murdock v. Pennsylvania, 319 U.S. 105)
“If the state converts a right (liberty) into a privilege, the citizen can ignore the license and fee and engage in the right (liberty) with impunity” (Shuttlesworth v. City of Birmingham, Alabama, 373 U.S. 262)
The writer also believes that if the freedom of the internet is taken away, there can be a huge rise in cybercrime and the usage of the Dark Net.
Many adults and even students, might learn hacking and various other cybercrime acts in order to bypass the payments and illegally access the free internet.
Furthermore, enraged citizens and cybercrime groups might attack the government and FCC databases and servers vowing revenge for their oppressive and self-centred acts.
It is clear that all of what is occurring is for monetary gains and really has no other basis.Do these companies really have to acquire more cash by disrupting fundamental freedoms?
What do you think about these moves of the FCC? Is there a better alternative?