Here’s how the internet’s net neutrality day of action is unfolding
Today, some of the world’s biggest internet companies and activist groups are coming together
to protest the FCC’s proposed rollback of net neutrality protections.
Google, Twitter, and Reddit have weighed in, as have groups like Mozilla
and the ACLU.
The complete tally
of groups and people involved in the protest, organized by activist
group Fight for the Future, is massive, so any list will necessarily be
incomplete. Others have pledged to participate, but as of publication
have not released their messages. But here is a running look at several
of the most noteworthy — messages of support from the biggest players,
creative displays from smaller upstarts, and some odder entries in the
internet’s net neutrality “day of action.”
Tim Berners-Lee
The founder of the web, already a prominent supporter of
net neutrality, published a short video defending the FCC’s rules. “If
we lost net neutrality, we lose the internet as we know it,” he said in
the video.
The company released a policy blog post
in defense of net neutrality, saying, “We hope you’ll make your voice
heard,” but the company didn’t release a prominent banner or any other
far-reaching message.
Mark Zuckerberg posted a note of support
on his personal Facebook page. “Right now, the FCC has rules in place
to make sure the internet continues to be an open platform for
everyone,” he writes. “At Facebook, we strongly support those rules.
We're also open to working with members of Congress and anyone else on
laws to protect net neutrality.”
Sheryl Sandberg posted a similar message.
“Keeping the internet open for everyone is crucial,” she writes. “Not
only does it promote innovation, but it lets people access information
that can change their lives and gives voice to those who might not
otherwise be heard.”
The ACLU
The prominent civil rights group placed a banner on its
homepage. “Trump’s FCC wants to kill net neutrality,” the message reads.
“This would let the cable and phone companies slow down any site they
don’t like or that won’t pay extra.” The banner directs to an FCC
comment-submission form.
In one of the most prominent messages, Reddit placed a
pop-up message that slowly loads the text, “The internet's less fun when
your favorite sites load slowly, isn't it?” The site’s usual homepage
image is also animated so it appears to load slowly.
Amazon
The shopping giant placed an image of support on its homepage, although it’s not easy to spot at a glance.
Airbnb
The rental platform released a short message on its homepage directing visitors to contact Congress and “support a free and open internet.”
The company released a policy blog post
defending net neutrality principles. “Net Neutrality is foundational to
competitive, free enterprise, entrepreneurial market entry — and
reaching global customers,” the company wrote. “You don’t have to be a
big shot to compete.” The company also promoted the #NetNeutrality
hashtag.
Mozilla
Mozilla is a longtime, vocal supporter of net neutrality.
The company got creative for the day’s protest, releasing a nine-hour,
“soothing” video where narrators read pro-net neutrality comments to the
FCC.
Netflix
The company released a homepage banner directing visitors
to the Internet Association trade group. The message: “Protect Internet
Freedom. Defend Net Neutrality.”
The Electronic Frontier Foundation
The activist group put up a fake “blocked” message from
“Atcast” jokingly urging visitors to “upgrade to our Premium Internet
Bundle.” Another pop-up then explains the gag.
OkCupid
The internet dating site released a message urging users to “stop the FCC from destroying net neutrality.”
Vimeo
The web video company released a video message asking viewers to “join the fight for a free, open, weirdo internet.”
Twitch
The game-streaming company put up a homepage banner in protest.
Spotify
The music company put up a banner directing to the Internet Association.
Tumblr
The company, which has been notably quiet up until very recently, released a statement as part of the protest, directing readers to dearfcc.org. “The new head of the FCC wants to undo the net neutrality protections you fought so hard for,” Tumblr’s statement reads.
Dropbox
The digital storage company released a statement of support.
“On this Day of Action, we want to state clearly where Dropbox stands:
we strongly favor a free and open internet with fair rules that promote
competition, choice, and innovation,” the statement reads.
FCC commissioner Mignon Clyburn
Commissioner Clyburn, a Democratic commissioner at the FCC and net neutrality supporter, released a statement
approving of the protest. “Today I stand with those who believe that a
free and open internet is a foundational principle of our democracy,”
Clyburn writes. “Its benefits can be felt across our economy and around
the globe.”
College Humor
The humor site put up a video called “Why Net Neutrality Matters (And What You Can Do To Help)” that explains the issue.
The Telecom Response
AT&T has said
it is “joining” the protest, despite being against the FCC’s net
neutrality rules, and itself being a major target of the protest.
Verizon released a statement today saying it applauds “their passion” but asks Congress to take action instead. Comcast put up a similar message.
GoDaddy
The company’s CEO, Blake Irving, released a statement on the company’s homepage.
“If you value the spirit of the Internet that’s driven so much
prosperity and freedom around the world, please join forces with GoDaddy
to get informed and take action today,” Irving writes.
Pornhub
The porn site asked homepage visitors to “join Pornhub in the fight to save net neutrality” because “slow porn sucks.”
Comments
Post a Comment