Keeping the Net Neutral

     This article deals with the concept of net neutrality.  If you don't know what that is, it's making sure that all websites have equal opportunity to prosper.  If it does not exist, big companies, such as Netflix and Amazon, could squash competition by paying internet providers to slow the website and speed their own websites up.  There is a loophole, however, called "specialized services."  Currently these include things such as smart thermostats other non-standard services.  Since the definition is currently loosely defined, this could allow providers a way to wiggle out of regulations.

     I am in total favor of net neutrality.  One of the most popular opinions, and one I share, is that internet should be regulated like a public utility.  This could, however, cause large corporations to form a monopoly, the consequences of this falling on our wallets.  It will be down to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to monitor what defines a specialized service to prevent such a thing from happening. The punishment, however, is also quite vague, which I find concerning, seeing as the last time they tried to maintain net neutrality in 2010, it wasn’t enough to sufficiently close the loophole.  This problem won’t be fixed until what is and isn’t a specialized service is clearly defined and the punishment is set for abusing it.