The Internet is free for now

Meagan Ford

The internet is free, according to a government vote on whether the internet will get slapped with new regulations.

On Feb. 26, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) met to decide whether free speech on the internet would stay protected or be scrapped in favor of tighter regulations, leading to a decision that simultaneously does both, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Net neutrality has been subjected to serious controversy for years. In 2014 social media platform Tumblr decked itself out with banners to “protect internet freedom,” and posted new banners in February.

Sites like savetheinternet.com and battleforthenet.com have pushed for net neutrality like modern civil rights crusaders.

Net neutrality isn’t understood.

In 2010, the FCC passed the Net Neutrality Act, defining net neutrality as “Transparency,” “No blocking” and “No unreasonable discrimination.” In practice, this means preventing internet providers from interfering in the net access of their customers.

Which brings the FCC to its newest highly-controversial decision. The internet will be treated like a “public utility.” The FCC can regulate it to prevent companies from doing the same, according to the FCC website.

Because of this decision, Americans will continue to not have to pay any more for their internet than the packages they already have. Without net neutrality the internet could turn out like cable, with consumers paying for websites like channels and getting blocked if they don’t pay the toll.

For now, the internet is free.