The Influence Of Net Neutrality On The Internet

The internet is a mysterious combination of codes working together to allow for infinite resources at the touch of a finger. Since the internet has become more popular, people are fighting over who is able to control what can be accessed on the internet. Some feel like the internet should be equally accessible for everyone, whereas others believe the service provider should be able to control everything. These two oppositions started what is called the Net Neutrality debate. Net Neutrality is the equal distribution of information to every person trying to access it. This equal distribution restricts service providers from withholding information or charging extra for specific access. The Net Neutrality debate came into light in 2005 when the
With net neutrality, competitors are allowed to freely publish their products or services on the internet for everyone to try. Without this, service providers can decide whose products to allow and who’s not to allow. Marvin Ammori states, “In their own letter to the FCC, over 100 of the nation’s leading venture capital investors wrote that the proposal, if adopted as a law, would ‘stifle innovation,’ since many start-ups and entrepreneurs wouldn’t be able to afford to access a fast lane” (2). Beginning businesses would not be able to afford the costs of advertising and growing their websites when they have to compete with higher financially stable companies. Livingston and Christian agree by saying, “This is critical. If a budding entrepreneur were forced to pay a fee for assured access to the network provider’s access service subscribers, that could disincent the very investment and innovation that has made the internet such a success”(3). The open internet allows minds to come together to create new theories that impact the world. Ammori also says, “Allow the internet to remain an engine of innovation, a platform for speech in even the harshest tyrannies, and a unified connection for people across the globe” (8). The internet is the fastest, easiest, and cheapest way to communicate ideas and start up new businesses. Without these new developments, the world would become a standstill for
Losing Net Neutrality can take away the freedom of press. Internet providers will supply only certain news media and websites they agree with, regardless of the buying likes those websites or not. George Anders says, “[Barbara Van Schewick] warns of the perils of letting internet providers promote their own versions of popular services while degrading or blocking customers’ ability to use independent services” (32). Losing Net Neutrality can take away freedom of free and fair elections. The provider can decide which candidate they want to supply information about and which ones to pretend don’t exist. Freedom of Privacy will be lost because providers will be able to use ones search history in order to cover the internet with ads based on those searches. Adam Joch claims, “ISPs will be motivated by profit opportunities to analyze what content subscribers are viewing and then use that data for commercial gain” (15). Freedom of association and choice will also be a thing of the past. People won’t have the option of choosing what they want and don’t want to see. Everything that the internet grants will be dependent on the provider and the package bought. Net Neutrality keeps human rights intact while still providing the best resources