Net Neutrality

On December 14th, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission made the decision that would essentially end a stable and free internet.

Chairman Tom Wheeler along with commissioners Mignon Clyburn, Jessica Rosenworcel, Ajit Pai, and Michael O'Rielly decided on a three to two vote that the choice to end net neutrality would be brought to Congress. This means the liberties we take online would, if ratified, would no longer be available. Social media sites like

Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Snapchat become taxed for almost fifteen dollars each and providers as Netflix and Google raise prices to about two dollars per serving request.

Companies have like Netflix have spoken out against net neutrality, knowing most Americans would not be able to afford the climb in fees. But the largest backlash against net neutrality has been from the internet itself. Thousand and thousands of calls, emails, and letter have been written, made, and requested urging the FCC not to make the repeal. It was this especially that made the vote all the more painful for the U.S. Nonetheless, the FCC ignored this in favor of following through with their idea of reconstruction.

“Under my proposal, the federal government will stop micromanaging the internet,” Pai said in a statement. “Instead, the FCC would simply require internet service providers to be transparent about their practices so that consumers can buy the service plan that’s best for them and entrepreneurs and other small businesses can have the technical information they need to innovate.”

People are skeptical of this statement feeling like this plays into a capitalistic grab for money and lack of privacy under the presidency of Donald Trump. With fear for their amendment rights to privacy seeing as though the repeal would give cell phone providers the ability to restrict what is seen online, the fight for net neutrality was vicious. However, it was brought to a halt when the FCC repealed net neutrality. It’s official after being recorded in the national register on February 22nd. What happens next? We can only wait.