Net Neutrality Now Up For Public Comment: Here’s How To Express Your Rage
Net neutrality, or that thing that keeps your Netflix cheap and running at an appropriate speed, is now open for public comment.
Yes, in spite of the fact that the FCC has received thousands upon thousands of messages already pleading and cursing at them to make the Internet a utility, they’re still going through the bureaucratic paces of acting like a fast lane is a reasonable idea.
We’re not going to lecture you at length on why net neutrality is important to the future of the web. John Oliver has already done that brilliantly here:
But we are going to pass along some info from our friends at Gizmodo on how you may be able to make a difference.
This post originally appeared on May 15, but the website continues to run it every day in an effort to educate and motivate anyone who has ever loved the Internet to stand up and fight for it.
Because if the FCC goes through with its “fast lane and slow lane” idea, then the cost of everything you hold dear is going through the roof.
From Gizmodo:
Step one: Visit FCC.gov/comments and find the proceeding with the title “Protecting and Promoting the Open Internet.” It should be the one on top and should also have over 20,000 filings in the last 30 days.
Step Two: Click the proceeding number “14-28.” You can also try to click this direct link, though it might not work every time. This will take you to the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing System. It looks a little janky, but hey, the government built it.
Step Three: Fill out the form. Write about your feelings. Express your concerns. Air your grievances. Provide your real name and address. Hope for the best.
Step Four: Click “Continue” and make sure you like what you wrote. If you don’t you can modify your comment. If you do, click “Confirm.”
Again, let’s repeat. If the FCC goes through with its current plans with regard to net neutrality, then cable and Internet providers like Verizon and Comcast will get to create “data packages” similar to what they’ve done with cable. (And we all know how “affordable” that is.)
Now that you know what to do to speak your mind regarding net neutrality, go do it, and pass this along so your friends who aren’t up to speed get up to speed before it’s too late.
Will you be leaving a comment?
[Image via ShutterStock]
