Blog #2: Net Neutrality

The wonders of the internet have been a part of the American experience since their introduction into society at large in the 1980's but along with such technological advancements come issues of consumer rights vs. network control. 1. Behind the scenes there is a war being fought over some of the freedoms that consumers enjoy. This battle is all in the name of Net Neutrality. One one side there are the consumers who willingly pay for internet service but do not want to be charged based upon the content that they access whether that be apps, downloading or any other legal cyber activity. On the other side are the networks and others lobbying to be able to monitor consumer content and decide charges based upon the specifics of their internet transactions. In essence this becomes another internet privacy issue because the main point being debated is how intensively the networks can and cannot monitor consumer activity. 2. Along with President Obama and his administration FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, a major player in the ever-present issue, has a vision of what the internet should be like. The chairman said that protecting the privacy of the consumer was essential to further investment and innovation by the very consumers themselves. He goes further to equate the absence of net neutrality to the ISPs "erecting tollbooths" throughout the cyber world. Read more of what he and the Obama administration have to say about the issue HERE. 3. As expected with every volatile issue there are sides in favor and sides in equally strong opposition. One such opposer is Scott Cleland, the founder of Precursor LCC and chairman of NetCompetition.org . Cleland argues that with innovation essentially comes more barriers that must come along in order to properly regulate things. He potentially addresses the issue of the fact that new apps and programs are being made everyday by people other than the software companies and that such innovation, if left unchecked, could lead to problems in the cyber communities. He also argues that consumer should have a choice, but pay for each and every one in the end. Find about more on his opinion of the issue HERE. 4. With so much passion on either side of the issue I (as usual) stand in between looking at both and seeing glimpses of truth in both. As a consumer and one who GREATLY enjoys the perks of a neutral net I must say that I would not like for the ISP's and furthermore the government to be able to monitor my internet activity to the extent that I would be charged for all of the individual data packets I send and receive. However, I am aware that not everyone on the web has the best intentions and that in some instances a more Big Brother-like presence from the networks at large would potentially create a safer environment in which consumers can make their transactions without fear of fraud and worse. In the end the glass remains half full and half empty depending on how you look at it.