It is official. The one thing America has been most united on since the debate began almost a year ago, has happened none the less. The conservative majority FCC board has repealed the Obama era open internet standard of Net Neutrality. While those in favor say that it is a much needed move to help ISP also abide by antitrust regulations, it's critics vocally explain the price gauging that can now take place.
So What Does It Mean
On the nose it means ISPs have much more control over what they can provide to their customers. A certain site does not agree to their standards? Or even political views? They can slow down bandwidth to the point where nobody can visit the site without it crashing. The repeal of Net Neutrality also means that ISP can break the internet into packages like cable companies do. Like using Facebook? Then you need to buy a social media package for $10 a month. Like using Soundcloud and Spotify? Then that will be another $20 a month ON TOP of subscription rates already paid. Then lets say you also want to google some new artist you found on Soundcloud. Well then you are going to need to buy the Search engine package for $15 a month as well.
You get the idea.
While those in favor say the repeal of net neutrality will help capitalism by allowing smaller ISPs to get customers through offering competitive services, in the end we all just got really fucked. In theory it makes sense but not in practice. The damage has already been done…companies cannot hope to challenge juggernaut ISPs which already hold the vast majority of the market share. It does not help that many of the claims the FCC has cited as support of the repeal also come directly from Russian propaganda machines. In the end the arrogance of the Chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai, who time and time again claimed the American people do not know what they want or understand what they are talking about has set back freedom of speech, and ultimately the ability to access new music for years to come. It is a sad day for America.
Congress can reverse this decision but considering how the chambers have been voting recently – they will not. Still every little voice helps. You can team up with the ACLU here.
EDM Reacts
I feel equally as baffled today, as I’m reading that Net Neutrality is being repealed, as I was when Trump got elected President. I just absolutely can’t imagine anyone voting for that…… then I realize, I am living in a bubble of like-minded, progressive-thinking people 😔
— Zedd (@Zedd) December 14, 2017
A handful of people just decided that 380 million of us don't need to decide what we have full access to on the internet. Such bullshit. Be pissed. #NetNeutrality
— Phantoms (@phantoms) December 14, 2017
We spammed our representatives with our voice, but telecoms spammed them with money
— BAD ROYALE (@badroyalemusic) December 14, 2017
Net neutrality just means I’m gonna have to make music so good you have to buy my music….
— Nitti Gritti (@DJNittiGritti) December 14, 2017
The only silver lining I can see with the #NetNeutality decision is that maybe this is finally what it takes to make some of y'all vote.
They had to go n fuck with your memes….
— HEROBUST (@Herobust) December 14, 2017
Remember 1 year ago how everyone was like I CANT WAIT FOR 2016 TO BE OVER, LETS GO 2017. Yeah that was dumb.
— YERRRRba Mate (@atrak) December 14, 2017
Fuck you FCC. The idea of a tiered internet makes me feel like we're all staying at one big fucking Ramada Inn. #NetNeutality
— 💰VALENTINO KHAN💰 (@ValentinoKhan) December 14, 2017
