On December 14th, the vote to remove net neutrality was communicated. The result was the expected, but nevertheless disappointing. Net neutrality was repealed.

Which brings the question, what is net neutrality? According to Merriam-Webster, it is “the idea, principle, or requirement that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) should or must treat all Internet data as the same regardless of its kind, source, or destination.” What this means in plain English is that internet providers need to give the same speed to all the people or companies they are providing services to, with no exceptions.

The FCC’s decision was a harmful one. Allowing ISPs to control and manage products and website’s online speeds will undoubtedly cause the favoring of specific websites who choose to sponsor those providers. Without net neutrality, ISPs would have the power to split the Internet into “fast” and “slow” lanes, meaning there would be different levels of service provided to those who can and can not afford the higher levels. “Fast” lanes would be more expensive, meaning big corporations and businesses would be able to monopolize the Internet while small start-ups and non-profit organizations would still be struggling to load their websites.

This is only the surface effect however. Heavy-handed internet regulations go farther than just big companies and service providers. They go all the way to the individual. When big companies have to pay extra to have access to faster Internet service, they will charge their customers more in order to make up for the additional expenditure. Prices on all services and goods that are connected in any way to the Internet would increase, resulting in more money lost out of all consumers’ pockets.

Another harmful aspect of the repeal of net neutrality is the possibility of censorship on the Internet. If the leadership of a ISP is against a certain cause, they can slow down the websites of organizations affiliated with those causes, or even block them. While it is unlikely this would happen (due to the public outcry that would be sure to follow), the mere fact that the FCC would give the ISPs the power to do this is worrying. It undermines the promise of free speech and freedom of expression, which is one of the most cherished values of American society.

The repeal of net neutrality means more than just giving ISPs more authority over treatment of Internet data. It means jeopardizing the entrepreneurial spirit that the equal-playing ground of the Internet used to foster, it means an Internet where certain websites and services are hidden because they are not supported by one’s ISP and it means the consumer will be hit by the increased costs on all companies who want to have access to faster Internet service. The Internet used to be a place of expression and creation, with equal opportunity for anybody to rise up and grow into success. Repealing net neutrality tears away this equal footing and puts us in the unstable hands of ISPs.