A number of online companies, including Netflix, Upworthy and Kickstarter, are planning a protest on Wednesday in support of net neutrality.
Websites plan on protesting by adding a spinning-wheel icon on their website to show what would happen if broadband regulators were able to introduce Internet fast lanes to those that paid for faster transmission of data, leaving the rest at frustratingly slow speeds.
While the companies will not actually slow down their websites, if the icons are clicked users will be directed to a website that gives them information on how to take action on the issue, Battle for the Net.
"People love the Internet because it's so varied and offers such a diversity of opinion and ideas," said Evan Greer, campaign director of Fight for the Future. "If we lose net neutrality, we can expect the Internet to become more like cable TV, where a small group of corporations get to choose which content most people see, and which content gets relegated to the 'slow lane.' "
Netflix is the latest company to join the effort for net neutrality, which includes organizations like Free Press, Fight for the Future and Demand Progress. The proposed laws on net neutrality come from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler.
"Consumers, not broadband, should pick the winners and losers on the Internet," said a spokesperson for Netflix. "Strong net neutrality rules are needed to stop Internet service providers from demanding extra fees or slowing delivery of content to consumers who already have paid for Internet access."
The FCC essentially sides with cable companies, who want to be able to make some websites deliver content faster than others. According to proponents of net neutrality, this would amount to censorship and could even threaten free speech.
A number of larger companies have not stated their position on the proposed laws or said whether they will actively take part in protests. Some, however, are using their trade group, the Internet Association, to show their views and are calling for net neutrality rules on both wired networks and wireless networks. Facebook is one of these companies.
"We urge the FCC to adopt enforceable rules against paid prioritization or the creation of Internet fast lanes so that the Internet remains an open platform for speech and commerce," said a spokesperson for the social media company.
Thousands of other, smaller websites are expected to join the protests against the proposed laws. This is not the first time that Internet campaigns have affected online policies. Anti-piracy legislation was ended after a mobilization of Internet users and large websites in 2012.
