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So as we've been noting, a lot of people remain under the impression that companies like Google and Netflix still support net neutrality, and they'll be rushing in any moment now to help thwart the FCC's latest attempt to kill the rules. In reality, Techdirt readers know that Google hasn't actually supported net neutrality since around 2010 or so. Netflix, also perceived as a consumer ally on the subject, made it clear recently that it no longer sees the need to fight for net neutrality now that it's an international video powerhouse. The company's shift from disruption engines to slightly myopic legacy turf protectors should surprise nobody.
That said, Google and Netflix's departure from the conversation left many net neutrality advocates wondering if any bigger companies would be willing to lend a hand in the latest chapter in the debate. Amazon managed to answer that question this week by throwing its weight behind a July 12 "Day of Action" being coordinated by consumer advocacy group Fight For the Future. According to the group's website, Amazon will join Reddit, Etsy, the ACLU, California ISP Sonic, Mozilla, Kickstarter, BitTorrent, Github and Vimeo for a day of protest -- both online and off -- against the FCC's plan to gut the popular consumer protections.
The plan appears to be to mirror the Internet Slowdown Day back in 2014. You'll recall that that effort, which involved numerous major websites warning their visitors about the threat to net neutrality via site banners, helped convince Tom Wheeler to stop half-assing things, and classify ISPs as common carriers under Title II of the Communications Act (giving them the adequate legal authority to enforce the rules). His decision was subsequently supported by the courts.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Nerdfest on Friday June 09 2017, @10:21AM (3 children)
I don't think Google and Netflix are so much enemies as just not fighting either way as they're big enough to throw their weight around even without neutrality. It's very short-sighted (and really, anti-consumer of them). Apple will probably come out for it for marketing purposes, which is a little weird as their iOS platform is certainly not the OS equivalent of 'neutral'. Or, they may just keep their mouth shut as they're big enough to throw their weight around as well. Who knows. Unless these companies are bribing the right people it probably makes little difference.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Friday June 09 2017, @06:38PM (2 children)
And I disagree with Netflix's opinion. As soon as a few major US providers put low caps on any video service they don't provide, Netflix will die.
Netflix is acting as if those guys might play fair and accept payments, but killing Netflix will ensure much more revenue from cord-cutters coerced into coming back.
If I was a soulless entity like the major cablecos, day 1 of the non-neutral internet would see Netflix value plummet, and soon they'll come begging to sell me their assets.
Sure, some customers will grumble, let them go try their only other option: dial-up!
(Score: 2) by Nerdfest on Saturday June 10 2017, @10:25AM (1 child)
I think they're hoping that people will dump an ISP if they don't provide NetFlix properly, which is probably a decent bet.
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Sunday June 11 2017, @06:05AM
I did point out that for many people, dumping an ISP means going to dial-up.
When ISPs refuse to compete, then merge based on their lack of overlap, you have no alternatives when they decide to kill Netflix.
I'm sure they'll take a Netflix offer of $2/mo/subscriber as a replacement to their ability to charge $50/mo for cable packages...