Netflix, Twitter & Reddit Plan Internet 'Slowdown' To Call For Net Neutrality
LOS GATOS (CBS SF) -- Several websites, big and small, are taking a stance in the new battle over net neutrality with an Internet "slowdown" Wednesday.
Netflix is one of the biggest supporters of net neutrality because of the massive amounts of money they pay cable companies to have movies and videos stream smoothly to their customers.
Dubbed as Internet slowdown day, websites like Twitter, Reddit and others are displaying banners to draw attention. They warn against Internet "slow lanes," saying it's a bad idea since everyone on the Internet should be treated equally.
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler insisted back in May that there is only one Internet and this debate is about legal approaches.
"But my position has been similar to that of the Consumer Federation of America," Wheeler said."And that is we ought explore the powers that are granted in the '96 act, specifically section 706, keep asking how Title II fits in, but develop a regulatory policy that looks forward not backward."
Michigan Congressman DeFred Upton disagrees. "I am troubled by the Chairman's insistence on attempting to regulate the Internet under rules that were informed by 19th century railroad regs in adopting to regulate the telephone monopoly of the past," he said. "The Internet has indeed flourished under the current light-touch regulatory scheme and subjecting it to burdensome regs is a leap in the wrong direction."
Internet slowdown day is only symbolic in nature. These Internet sites are not actually slowing down. The protest is asking customers to contact the White House, or a local congress person and the FCC.
Since the FCC opened up the public forum four months ago, they've received over one million comments.
