Internet-Wide Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality

Today is the day we save the internet.

The FCC wants to destroy net neutrality and give big cable companies control over what we see and do online. If they get their way, they’ll allow widespread throttling, blocking, censorship, and extra fees. Today, the internet will come together to stop them.

What is net neutrality?

Net neutrality is the basic principle that protects our free speech on the internet. “Title II” of the Communications Act is what provides the legal foundation for net neutrality and prevents Internet Service Providers from slowing down and blocking websites, or charging apps and sites extra fees to reach an audience (which they then pass along to consumers.)

Net neutrality says we get the entire web without interference – no gatekeepers, no tollbooths, no slow lanes. This is why it is considered the First Amendment of the internet. It protects our free speech in the digital age.

Why is net neutrality important?

Without strong protections, Cable and phone companies like Comcast would be able to:

• Slow video streaming sites, causing your videos start and stop unexpectedly.
• Add you new fees to your internet bill. Imagine paying extra for YouTube!
• Censor videos or content they don’t agree with, like political blogs.
• Throttle any new sites or apps they don’t own or invest in.
• Make your connection painfully slow, and charge you more to make it work again.
• Force streaming sites like Spotify into a slow lane, causing them to buffer constantly.
• Slow online gaming. Call of Duty would lag and glitch without paying more to your ISP.
• Charge big sites special “prioritization fees” and slow down everyone else.
• Take you out of the driver’s seat, and control what you see and hear online.
• Make the Internet look a lot more like cable TV.
• And, worst of all, become the first gatekeepers of the Internet in US history.

Without net neutrality, the government will give cable and phone companies free rein to shake down Internet users and websites for more money. And the ripple effects will be felt for years.

An entire generation of innovators have built their careers on the open web. With net neutrality in place, you just need a good idea and a decent connection to reach millions.

Do your part to get the word out now.

We must show Congress and the FCC that when it comes to the internet, we stand united. And if we’re loud enough, they’ll have to listen.

If you have a site, app, or blog, follow these instructions to ensure the FCC and Congress hears our call to save the web.

We need as many people as possible to stand up and get their friends to join them. The easiest and fastest way for you to do that is changing your social media profile picture on LinkedIn, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat. Or use this simple tool to change your profile picture on Facebook and Twitter.

Net neutrality is not a partisan issue. Regardless of your political views are or who you voted for, everyone who knows what net neutrality is supports it. And poll after poll confirms this across party lines.

We’re counting on you,

---