Netflix will be one of many high-profile websites to join a net neutrality protest calling for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to regulate Internet service providers (ISPs) and block the creation of Internet fast lanes.
On Wednesday, Netflix, along with websites including Reddit, Kickstarter, Mozilla, Etsy and Meetup, will display the dreaded spinning icon on their website to indicate their support for a set of strong net neutrality rules to prevent the ISPs from striking deals with content providers to provide them fast lanes where their content could be delivered more quickly to end consumers. The websites will not actually slow down their loading times but will encourage their visitors to contact their representatives and voice their support for net neutrality.
If you hate this symbol, join Netflix and defend #NetNeutrality on Sept. 10th: https://t.co/UOlKUgiJQj https://t.co/CWHMuOnWOO
— Netflix US (@netflix) Sept. 8, 2014
Netflix has been open about its support for net neutrality rules to regulate the Internet industry. The video-streaming website is in a spat with ISPs Comcast and Verizon after reportedly being made to pay higher fees in a network peering agreement to ensure that its streaming content reaches Netflix users while still suffering slowdowns. In June, Netflix began displaying public apologies to its users experiencing slow loading times saying: "The Verizon network is crowded right now. Adjusting video for smoother playback..."
Other websites to participate in the protest include WordPress, Vimeo, FourSquare, BoingBoing and BitTorrent. Pornography websites PornHub and YouPorn also announced on Reddit that they will also display the loading icon on their websites to protest against fast lanes.
"We'll be displaying an official widget from battleforthenet.com," says a Pornhub representative named Katie. "We won't be shutting down or streaming your porn slower. There will be a big in your face message that users will need to close. We hope to reach around 50 million people on Sept 10th."
Advocates of a free-market Internet will also hold their own campaign this week led by TechFreedom, which is funded by large backers including Google, Facebook, Comcast and the National Cable Association. TechFreedom's Don't Break the Net campaign calls for the FCC to resist re-classifying ISPs as Type II common carriers and making Internet a public utility like telephone, water and electricity.
"The debate over Title II isn't a debate over net neutrality, which is why many net neutrality proponents actually oppose Title II," says TechFreedom. "Instead, it's a debate between a vocal minority that wants greater government control over broadband companies, and defenders of a bipartisan consensus around a 'Hands Off the Internet' approach."
Tech Freedom also says Netflix is simply "trying to game the system" to cut its costs and simply wants a "Rube Goldberg regulatory regime" where consumers are made to pay for the company's expenses.
