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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: 2) by kaganar on Friday June 09 2017, @01:37PM
No, but I don't like bureaucrats deciding I only can have one viable "high-speed" ISP because somehow cable companies don't provide telecommunications. If we're going to allow regional monopolies, then we can't pretend capitalism or other market forces are going to work. This bullshit of big-money businesses "just wouldn't do bad things" is so incredibly stupid, especially coming out of the mouths of reps for companies with fantastic margins due to unscrupulous tactics. Money is power, and power corrupts -- but somehow that logic only seems to apply to politicians we don't like these days and all so-called businessmen get a pass because "it's what businessmen are supposed to do."
If we want to strip away powers from the current groups that can regulate, then we need another regulatory force. Capitalism isn't that force because there's insufficient competition.