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The Internet

By: Nate Nero

Net Neutrality

Net Neutrality is the idea that internet providers such as Verizon, AT&T and others should treat all data they provide equally. This means that they shouldn't favor data and put it into "fast lanes" while other data is slower in order to encourage the consumer to buy a different internet package. Under net neutrality, internet providers would also make all parts of the internet available to the consumer given that it complies to the law. Throughout the years net neutrality has been in a balancing act with people both vouching for and ctriticising the idea. In general, the US has achieved some net neutrality especially in certain states.

Under both the Obama and Clinton administrations, the Federal Communications Commission spent years trying to keep net neutrality enforced. Eventually the FCC passed a series of sweeping net neutrality orders in 2015. In 2017, the new Republican FCC chose to drop those orders allowing internet providers to block and slow down content. Arguements for net neutrality state that keeping the internet open and equal is essential for creating innovation. If internet providers chose to block or slow video-streaming in the 2000's then there might not be Youtube, Netflix, or Hulu.

The word "net neutrality" was created by Tim Wu, a law professor at Columbia University. During the time, internet broadband providers banned home internet users from accessing virtual private networks and using wi-fi routers. The internet provider's tendency to restrict new tech and innovation worried Wu who called for anti-discrimination rules. In the Bush administration a first set of rules for the internet blocked internet sevice providers from blocking legal content. Using this policy the FCC ordered Comcast to stop slowing connections succesfully enforcing the laws.

Internet Censorship

Internet censoship is just like any other form censorship. Internet censorship specifically deals with the restriction of online content. Most internet censorship occurs because of government interference and restricting of the interet. An example of this would be between the deal that China and Google made to censor data and content. Google has made the same battle between 40 other countries on the topic of censorship on its browser. However in most countries there are little to no pervasive internet censorship or surveillance.

Motivation to censor internet can vary from the desire to protect children from unsuitable content to the attempt to control a nation's access to outside information. Things like parental blocks or web filters are also a type of internet censorship. Most at-home internet censors use blacklist and keyword bocking to designate a webapage as undesirable. Another option is a firewall. A firewall acts as protection from content on the internet. Firewalls filter data from the internet and act as a barrier between your computer and the internet.

Internationally, most countries do restrict access to the internet on some level. More liberal countries like the United States allow for higher access to the internet but still restricts some information. On a national level, countries may want to censor info that includes views contradictory to the government or policies. Countries like China, Iran, North Korea, and Vietnam have some of the strongest internet censorship policies. The Myanmar government keeps internet cafes udner surveillance and China's advaned filtering system has become known as the Great Firewall of China.

Digital Divide

The digital divide referes to the gap between demographics that have access to modern info, tech, and internet. The term now includes the technical and financial ability to use techn and the internet. The divide exists between develop and developing countries, young people versus older people and men and women. The divide between urban-rural setting is the biggest factor. The main effect of the digital divide is isolation which further leads to educational barriers, discrimination and a decline in mental health.

The digital divide is a big problem in many countries where rural populations are begin cut off from digital tech. The same problem also occurs globally in men and women where 55% of males were using the internet and only 48% of women used the internet. Another type of divide is the use divide where younger, educated people more skills than older people in terms of begin able to use tech. There is also a quality-of-use gap where some people are not able to get the same quality of information and someone else. These divides reflect already existing differences in wealth and access to education and even worsens its affects.

For a long time, the global digital divide was seen as a consequence of economic development and that it would naturally close as individuals became wealthier. Even though people around the world have risen in income, the digital divde remains very relevant. This is due to the lack of investment in internet infrastructure. Though people might be able to but an internet activated device, if their area does not have any digital infrastructure there is no use. However two big projects have the potential to greatly increase said infrastructure around the world being, Starlink, and The Alliance for Affordable Internet.

Thanks for reading!