Utility regulations control usage, pricing, taxation, etc.
Making internet a utility places it under their control. They will be able to claim that the “critical information needs” of this or that "community" is not being served "properly", that this or that website is "biased", that an ISP must provide "balance" in the websites made available over their network. etc. We know their intentions.
“Making internet a utility places it under their control. They will be able to claim that the “critical information needs” of this or that “community” is not being served “properly”, that this or that website is “biased”
And anyone who is a little too vocal in their resistance will find themselves immersed in lawsuits for past comments that are considered “racist”, “homophobic”, “islamophobic”, etc. Free speech died a long time ago. How many people have lost their jobs because of speaking their minds on some of these subjects on social media? It used to be okay to have a point of view, even if it was abominable to most people.
Ray, thanks for your posts on this issue.
FWIW.
It seems that the FEDS think the free enterprise system has allowed “Some” to become “De-facto” monopolies.
This may be true, but so what. As long as that same system that allowed them to take risk and build the thing in the first place exists for others to challenge them.
IMHO, by adopting these “new rules” they are actually “Granting monopoly status” on those companies. By doing so, the FEDS will now have the ability to tell them what they can and can’t do, including the content they carry. You won’t find any language it the 330 page set of rules that directly say this, but this is only the first step.
Please let me know if my thinking on this is flawed.