Does The Internet Really Need Saving?

Does The Internet Really Need Saving?

- Andrew Nusca

THE FIGHT OVER WHO CONTROLS the Internet will reach a fever pitch on Dec. 14, when the Federal Communications Commission, led by chairman Ajit Pai, will vote on plans to dismantle Obama Administration regulations that are intended to ensure equal access to what’s on it, a concept known as net neutrality.

The FCC formally announced its plans on Nov. 21. The response from critics—on the Internet, naturally— was swift. “SEE LESS, CHARGED MORE,” warned pop star Cher on Twitter. “Taking away #NetNeutrality is the Authoritarian dream,” actor Mark Ruffalo tweeted. People left hundreds of thousands of comments on the FCC’s website—an addendum to the 22 million made during the comment period on the original proposal.