Net Neutrality is Dead. For Now.
Today (June 11) is the day the repeal of net neutrality rules goes into effect. Many of the Obama-era protections have now been rolled back.
Net neutrality is the principle that all traffic on the internet should be treated equally, regardless of whether you’re chatting on Facetime, emailing, or streaming movies from a service provider like Netflix. It also placed other restrictions on internet service providers such as prohibitions on discriminating against information by halting, slowing, or otherwise tampering with the transfer of any data (except for legitimate network management purposes such as easing congestion or blocking spam)
While this is a huge change that could endanger equal access to the internet, the American Library Association (and other organizations) continue to press for a restoration of Net Neutrality laws. ALA offers ways you can help: (from the ALA District Dispatch):
- Continuing to tell your members of Congress (or thanking them!) that net neutrality is critical to the modern library and our communities through our action alert.
- If your plans and means allow, joining a #DayofAction for net neutrality allies in Washington, D.C. on June 26 sponsored by our allies. Here is a link to register.
- Initiating or joining in-district events when your members of Congress are home for recess. Invite them to a library, talk about what an open internet means for your patrons and community.
- Tell your ISP (and your local media and your patrons) that you are watching and expect them to respect their commitments to an open internet. In fact, you’d like them to put it in writing.
Tags: libraries and net neutrality, Net Neutrality, restoring net neutrality
