Further reinforces what I've believed for quite some time, which is that corporations hold far more power than governments these days in many areas, at least here in the US.
Though this repeal doesn't sound as world ending apocalyptic as it sounds now that I've looked more into it. The biggest eye opening thing is that these Net Neutrality regulations were only put into place in early 2015 in the first place. And they seem to be more of a safeguard than anything else.
Even if this goes all the way through the courts and is passed, it only means that corporate entities *in theory* could charge extra, offer internet "fast lanes" for larger fees, or slow down competitor websites or sites they wish to be blocked, but it doesn't mean it'll happen, and I'm sure they'll back off if it means a poor public image or lack of revenues. At the end of the day the free market has the final say. While it could potentially manifest itself into something more malevolent and anti-consumer in the long term, I don't see it having much immediate effect. The internet seemed to fare alright without the implementation of Net Neutrality in 2015, so I don't see how corporations will suddenly jump on this and exploit the situation now, especially with all the backlash.
At the end of the day it sounds like rather than the government holding more control of the internet it's corporations/internet providers holding more of the levers. One way or another some large entity will controls things I suppose. Just a matter of, do you prefer more of a "wild west" internet at the mercy of service providers/corporations or more regulations/safety nets by the government? While I'd prefer more control/regulation from the government rather than indifferent companies merely out to profit, I don't think this is as world-ending as I initially thought.
Last edited by DarthMetalliCube - on 14 December 2017
"We hold these truths to be self-evident - all men and women created by the, go-you know.. you know the thing!" - Joe Biden
