Assignment 4: Thoughts on Network Neutrality

                Net neutrality has many pros and cons. Many people are in support of it because it treats all network user and web site equally. Nobody receives unfair special treatment, this is the main concept behind net neutrality. Another reason why people support it, is because it encourages innovation. New concepts have the same opportunity to be successful no matter who develops them. This causes the best possible ideas to be seen and spread. However, net neutrality also has some cons. Some people are against it because they believe that tiered access could improve the internet. They believe that large companies would be capable to pay more for their internet access. This money would go towards network improvements that would benefit the average web user.  The other major argument against net neutrality is that it adds unneeded legislation that could slow down the improvement of the overall quality of the internet.

                Recently, the United States appeals court ruled that regulators could no longer utilize the concept of net neutrality. Verizon argued that net neutrality negatively affected their ability to make deals with providers, and their capability to run improved speed access to premium material.

                This topic is related to freedom of speech because people who are against the court’s ruling believe that this will limit the freedom of speech of individuals. They believe that the ruling will allow commercial companies to have the authority to block internet traffic, and direct users away from content that they do not want them to see for any particular reason. Which, in theory could cause these companies to not allow viewers to view content they do not support.

                The recent news on net neutrality will affect me, as well as all other internet users. If corporations are able to steer users away from certain content, then anyone trying to do research, could be limited to only seeing one side of the situation. Being a student, I am still undecided with how I stand on certain major issues of our country. The internet is currently a great tool to compile information that can allow me to generate a stance.  However, if there is only one side of the argument available, it takes credibility away from the internet and I would use other means for research.

                I am in support of net neutrality. It is the best system of how the internet should be run in terms of fairness. Every user and publisher should have the same opportunities to view/ have their content be viewed. The internet should not turn into a bidding war. If all content is treated equally, the best will rise to the top, and this is how the best overall internet quality will be obtained.

                Below are two links of sites that I found that discuss the recent information about net neutrality. I decided that both of these sites were valid because they are the websites of a major newspaper/ magazine. Due to this, they will have double checked their information, and would not publish false facts. I also checked this information up against what they both said, and they both presented the same information.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/14/net-neutrality-internet-fcc-verizon-court

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/01/14/fcc-net-neutrality/4473269/

Social Media and Privacy

With the usage of social media, sharing information about sexual assaults undoubtedly catches people’s attention. This, is beneficial in the prosecution process, because by drawing more attention to it, it ensures punishment. However, I think that it is extremely unfair to the victims to have that being shared all over the internet. I would imagine that the victims would want to try to put these events in their past, but the publicity over social media would make that more difficult. Although I believe that it is a negative in regards to the victim’s experience, I think that a positive could come from them seeing all of the hatred towards the perpetrators, and knowing that they are going to be deservingly punished for their wrongful actions.

I Have Nothing To Hide

Even if you have nothing to hide, online privacy should still concern you. Although you may not care if people know what websites you typically go on, there is much more that is out there. Online sites can track where you are when you are utilizing them. With this information, along with many online databases, it is very easy for a complete stranger to discover your home address. That itself is very creepy, but that is not the only harm that can come from this. If a person lives in Maine, and then are accessing websites from Florida, an individual would know that the homeowner is out of town. This leaves individuals suspect to having people break into their house, with the assurance that the owner will not be home at the time. This is simply one of many cases that online privacy can effect someone, even if they believe they have nothing to hide.