The fight for net neutrality continues in a letter that was released on Cyber Monday, Nov. 27. In it, large companies such as Reddit and Twitter expressed the role that net neutrality played for the flourishing of the online economy. They also aired their opposition towards repealing the current neutrality rules.
The letter, uploaded as a View-Only document on Google Docs, was addressed to Ajit Pai, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It started by stating solid figures concerning online sales in one of the biggest shopping holidays in the United States.
The letter claimed that Americans spent $3.5 billion on Cyber Monday last year. They pointed out that this figure continues to increase each year, citing that last year's sales experienced a 10 percent increase over 2015.
It goes on to say that "this economic growth is possible because of the free and open internet." They added that strong net neutrality rules encourage competition and diversity of choice for consumers.
They expressed how the FCC has drafted an order which will threaten current net neutrality rules, and thus the free and open internet. They claim that under this order, no longer will businesses be in equal footing with regards to online sales.
When the order passes the vote, internet service providers (ISP) will be able easily control the way end-users access online services. The letter goes so far as to claim that businesses may even have to "pay a toll just to reach customers."
The Cyber Monday Letter was signed by more than 200 companies, some of which are recognizable brand names like Tumblr, Pinterest, Squarespace, and the aforementioned Reddit and Twitter.
Voting for the repealing of current net neutrality rules will take place on Dec. 14. If the new draft order passes, the FCC might have to defend their position in court. Open letters like this one may play a role in the case and it also serves as a way to raise public awareness regarding the significance of net neutrality.
