SOPA and PIPA- Through the Back Door? As you may have heard, the open internet as we know it may soon become a thing of the past. Obama has long been a proclaimed supporter of net neutrality. During his 2007 presidential campaign he gave a speech at Google headquarters stating, I will take a backseat to no one in my commitment to network neutrality, because once providers start to privilege some applications or websites over others, then the smaller voices get squeezed out and we all lose. The Internet is perhaps the most open network in history and we have to keep it that way. A admirable stance, but just seven years later we find that the FCC is planning to abandon the net neutrality regulations, and under the new proposed system internet providers will be able to create a tiered internet. Where websites and consumers will have to pay more money for faster loading times. Last year President Obama appointed Tom Wheeler as FCC chairman. Tom Wheeler was a major contributor to Obamas campaign, raising half a million dollars for the presidents re-election in 2012 alone. Wheeler was also previously a lobbyist for the cable and wireless industries, involved with both NCTA (National Cable and Telecommunications Association and CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association). Daniel Alverez was hired on to the FCC by Wheeler and he was a long time member of a law firm that advised Comcast and has argued against net neutrality rules. Wheelers senior counselor is Phillip Verveer, who has worked for Comcast and the wireless and cable trade associations, BOTH whom have opposed net neutrality. The FCC meets this very month on May 15th. Before that happens, we at Alternative Tentacles urge you to send an email to [email protected], or direct a tweet to Wheeler himself at @TomWheelerFCC. After that meeting there will be a public comment period of 30 to 40 days before they finalize any rules. We urge you to make your voice heard now and dont let the internet be taken away from us.
Posted on: Thu, 08 May 2014 23:07:23 +0000
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