| Nowadays you cannot search the net without | | | | but let's have a look at the cons for a moment. |
| coming across this term, but what does it mean? | | | | Internet regulations to prevent child pornography |
| Basically, it's an unwritten rule that ensures all | | | | are already in place and that hasn't exactly |
| users have equal rights. You can send and receive | | | | prevented the bombardment of this filth. There is |
| information equally. Businesses, both small and | | | | a reason net neutrality is referred to as the "First |
| large, have level playing fields when it comes to | | | | Amendment" of the internet and opponents of |
| site visitors. Search engine providers cannot filter | | | | regulations fear they will stifle freedom of |
| a user's access to companies that rival those of | | | | expression. Regulations will mean limited access to |
| their paying advertisers. It's a philosophy that has | | | | the far-reaching sources of information available |
| worked since the beginning of the World Wide | | | | today. And, personally, whenever there is talk of |
| Web. Some refer to it as the 'First Amendment' | | | | government expansion, I see my liberties fading |
| of the net. There has been no need for | | | | like the day's sun. |
| government intervention or laws that enforce net | | | | Now here is where I get a bit angry with this |
| neutrality, but that may all change soon. | | | | situation. Earlier this year the FCC tried to place |
| The government may soon give the FCC carte | | | | net neutrality regulations on internet providers, but |
| blanche to regulate internet providers, like | | | | their attempts where unanimously thwarted by a |
| Comcast, Verizon, AT&T, etc. Of course there | | | | Federal Appeals Court. Soon after the ruling, the |
| are pros and cons to almost every action, so I'll | | | | FCC tried to do an end run around this ruling by |
| try to be fair in my opinions. Let's start with the | | | | reclassifying broadband services as |
| pros, shall we. Regulations can help to control the | | | | telecommunications services. What does this |
| untold illegal activities that are quite rampant over | | | | mean, you might ask yourself? It means they |
| the net. They can help prevent phishing schemes, | | | | were trying to use regulations that were already |
| identity theft and other very costly and damaging | | | | in place for analog telephone systems towards |
| activities. Regulations to protect innocent victims | | | | the internet. |
| always sound great and, in theory, are necessary; | | | | |