The End of Net Neutrality?

[Linus]

As some of you may be aware, Google and Verizon have recently begun talks about ending Net Neutrality. This concept -- Net Neutrality -- means that all internet packets (traffic) travels at the same rate and there is no preference of one type of traffic over another. The idea of removing this neutrality will result in different speeds to various sites (e.g., paid sites will receive faster and priority access while non-paid sites will not receive that kind of quality of service or QOS).

My biggest concern is that this will separate the online world into two classes: those that pay and those that cannot (e.g., libraries, non-profits). For the longest time, the great thing about the Net was the fact that there was no preference or "isms" when it came to the transference of info (granted there is classism by having a computer).

Additional to this, sites like ours (a little not-so-big site that is made for the sake of a community) may suffer from this kind of thing. I can see this hurting minority groups of various walks of life by removing that equalization between groups and individuals.

You can sign a petition here: https://secure.freepress.net/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=277

I really do think that this could be worse than the advent of advertising on the Net (I do remember fondly days when there was no advertising and it was all about sharing of info).

[UofMfan]

I agree Linus, this is very disturbing.

I dislike Google to no end, this just confirms my dislike. They sell your information, privacy is an illusion, etc, these are only some of the things they are guilty of.

I got a Gmail account and only use it for junk stuff. I refuse to use their search engine and I urge anyone who is concerned about Net Neutrality to not only sign the petition, but boycott them in any way shape or form.

[suebee]

The whole philosophy behind the internet was freedom of exchange of information - initially between academics, but eventually we all benefitted. I'll sign the petition and boycott google. But it was bound to come to this sooner or later don't you think? Where there's a buck to be made.....

[Linus]

The whole philosophy behind the internet was freedom of exchange of information - initially between academics, but eventually we all benefitted. I'll sign the petition and boycott google. But it was bound to come to this sooner or later don't you think? Where there's a buck to be made.....

But how do you enforce it? Given that the Internet boundaries are beyond the US. And if I don't use Verizon but use AT&T (and their network) will I be affected by what Verizon/Google do?

[UofMfan]

Net Neutrality "is a fundamental design principle" put in place at the inception of the Internet to ensure that everyone had equal access to information online, and that the network would foster innovation and ideas. "We want to preserve that," Franken said...

Link to the entire article below.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-karr/al-franken-makes-senate-s_b_857978.html

[pajama]

Done. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I agree that this would strongly limit the free flow of information.