Our Fight Against the FCC
Recently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced its plan to slash net neutrality rules, which would allow Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Verizon or Comcast to block apps, slow websites, and charge fees to control what you can do online. Services not backed by the ISP would load much more slowly; you would have to pay additional fees to unlock unbacked content.
Some Background
Net neutrality is the principle that Internet providers like Comcast & Verizon should not control what we see and do online. In 2015, startups, Internet freedom groups, and 3.7 million commenters won strong net neutrality rules from the FCC. The rules prohibit Internet providers from blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization—“fast lanes” for sites that pay, and slow lanes for everyone else.
ISPs would be able to dictate what you could see and what you couldn’t. It’d be like EA running your internet. They don’t want you to play as Vader? Fine, they’ll just put it behind a paywall. Your ISP doesn’t want you browsing Reddit? Fine, they’ll just label it as “blocked content”, and make you pay to access it.
What You Need to Do
You need to make your voice heard. Most of you are going to dismiss this, and count on other people to stop the repeal of net neutrality. But the few of you that are going to do something about this – you are our last hope.
To have your voice directly heard by the FCC, go to the FCC comment page (https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express). Enter 17-108 in the “Proceedings” field. Enter all the required information, and then write your comment supporting net neutrality.
If you don’t know what to say, here’s a good script: Network Neutrality and common carrier-based communication in the U.S. dates back to 1860 with the telegraph. The internet should adhere to our American tradition by leaving Internet Service Providers classified as a Title II common carrier service.
Another way to voice your support is to send a letter voicing your dissatisfaction with the FCC’s proceedings to your senator. Get your opinion on to your legal representatives, and do your duty as a citizen of America.
You could also text “resist” to 504-09 on a mobile device. It will ask you if you’re fine with being charged; say yes. This number is classified as a charity, and you will not be charged for messaging it. After answering a few questions, the bot will send your letter as a fax to your local representative. Here’s the link:
Some Other Sites
How to Directly Support Net Neutrality
The Battle for Net Neutrality
The “Resist” Bot’s Workings
A Good Starting Point
Some Background on Net Neutrality
The FCC will try to fool you into believing that it is “de-regulating” the web. DO NOT believe this! The ROTMG community is passionate, and we must show our support for net neutrality.
Do the research. Check the sources. Make your voice heard. This is our last stand, but it won’t be our last fight.
I might have posted this in the wrong place. This is my first post ever, so please forgive me. @moderators, make sure that nothing happens to this thread, and pin it if you can. This battle is much too important to lose.
TL;DR: The FCC is trying to let money-hungry ISPs control what we do on the internet. Fight back against it.
