Network Neutrality Laws are a Bad Idea

There’s an article from the Associated Press (dated 04/22/08), which talks about new Internet legislation from the federal government which is being discussed by Congress.  The topic of this Internet legislation?  Network Neutrality.  Which in essence is legislation designed to keep Internet service providers from filtering out parts of the web.

The article is a little confusing because it talks about legislation to regulate Internet Service Providers from regulating content.  The language and logic is confusing.  The legislation says that regulating the service providers is good but regulating people using the Internet is bad.  So it’s arguing for regulation to keep off regulations.  Doesn’t that seem like an oxymoron?  This seems like government sticking its nose into a problem where it does not belong.  Let me tell me show you how I arrived at that conclusion.  I’ll give you two examples where I feel freedom may actually be taken away because of Network Neutrality legislation.

Example #1 Shouldn’t a business be free to sell only what they want to sell (so long as it doesn’t violate the law)?

If a company wants to sell filtered Internet so be it.  There’s no law saying that consumers (you and I) have to purchase Internet from that company.  There are multiple Internet Service Providers available to consumers throughout America.  Providers include: cable companies, phone companies, cell phone companies, and satellite dish companies.  If you don’t like the content (or lack of content) provided by your current ISP you have the freedom to switch to another.  Some people would argue that all of the Internet providers could filter the Internet to some degree or another so the problem still exists.  The simple answer to that hypothetical situation is to demand that they (the providers) do otherwise.  If there is enough demand for something, you can bet a business will seek to provide it.

Example #2  Shouldn’t consumers have the right to block out content they don’t wish to have?

Network Neutrality legislation could come back to bite families in the rear end.  What if technology continues to improve and demand is such that Clean ISPs become available to consumers?  As I understand it, with the this type of legislation such a company would be illegal.  That is disturbing.  We all know the Internet is full of obscene material that many families would like to see eliminated or removed entirely from their homes.

It’s funny, because so often the discussion of censorship neglects to address the rights of those who choose to have material censored for their families.  Remember, I have just as much of a right to not have my home invaded with pornography as others have a right to free speech.  Why force consumers to buy something they don’t want?

While “Network Neutrality” legislation may sound like a good thing, I think it’s actually an anti-freedom piece of legislation which enacts regulations on both consumers and businesses.  I urge Americans to pay attention to this issue and to contact Congress and urge them to vote against Network Neutrality laws.