Comcast, Verizon, and other cable companies want to end Net Neutrality so they can control what we see and do online — and make a profit doing it. On August 18th, the U.S. Federal Communication Commission (FCC) will end the rules that protect our freedom online, unless we stop it. This is about the internet's future. Before you do anything else, send a letter to the FCC now!
Net Neutrality is the principle that all content should be treated equally. Like receiving a phone call, internet providers like Comcast and Verizon should treat all data as “first come first serve.” But they’d like be able to prioritize data for anyone willing to pay. In 2015, innovators, internet freedom groups, and 3.7 million commenters won strong Net Neutrality rules from the FCC. The rules prohibit internet providers from blocking, throttling, and implementing paid prioritization — "fast lanes" for sites that pay, and slow lanes for everyone else.
Nearly everyone who understands and depends on the internet supports Net Neutrality, whether they're startup founders, activists, gamers, politicians, investors, comedians, YouTube stars, or typical internet users who just want their internet to work as advertised.
But now cable companies — who are famous for high prices and poor service — are lobbying the FCC to end Net Neutrality. Why? It's simple: if they win the power to charge for faster access, they can bully any site into paying millions to escape the "slow lane." This would amount to a tax on every sector of the economy that depends on the internet. Every site would cost more, since they'd all have to pay big cable. Worse, it would extinguish the startups and independent voices who can't afford to pay. If we lose Net Neutrality, the internet will never be the same.
Take action now by sending your strong support for Net Neutrality to the FCC.
Outside the U.S.? Your voice still counts! Tell U.S. policymakers how Net Neutrality protections — or the lack thereof — have made a difference for internet users in your country.
