The open internet is a revolutionary tool that offers countless benefits to everyone around the globe. Whether it be the freedom for anyone to speak one’s mind, start a business, collaborate with others or rally for a cause (like Ratify28), these things are only made possible by a free and open internet. Commonly known as Net Neutrality, all information on the internet must be treated equally. Internet service providers (ISPs) must allow any user to access any data on the internet that they wish. This protection ensures that everyone has a global voice and an equal opportunity.
However, Net Neutrality is under attack… Again! Without it, the internet would be a much different place. ISPs would be permitted to control and regulate what their users see and do on the internet by either blocking or slowing websites that do not fit their business interests.
Could you imagine if Netflix and Hulu were blocked by Comcast simply because Comcast wanted to force you to use their streaming internet services instead? How about no longer being able to read your favorite newspaper or blogger simply because your ISP didn’t agree with their political affiliation?
ISPs have already begun planning for internet “fast lanes”, or toll booths, in order to extort additional fees from online companies. Creating a financial barrier would suppress startups all around the globe as they would not have the funds required to pay these fees.
Net Neutrality resolves all of these issues and protects a free and open internet. Unfortunately, we are only days away from a vote that could drastically alter everyone’s online experiences. Therefore, we want to end this fight once and for all. By either directly petitioning Congress or by reaching out to state legislatures to call for a Convention of the States, we would like to propose the 28th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. We want to permanently protect the free and open internet for everyone by ensuring that all data on the internet be treated equally, regardless of its origin.“The right of the people to a fair, open and unbiased internet shall not be infringed.”
Learn More:https://www.ratify28.org/
