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Internet Freedom

 

What's New

Despite our efforts, the U.S. House recently approved legislation that would allow the telephone and cable companies to limit our Internet access by deciding who and what gets priority. If they succeed in enacting their preferred legislation, you might not be able to surf the Web sites you like because they’ll been relegated to a new, slow lane.

In November, the U.S. Senate may act on a similar bill that’s already been approved in the Senate Commerce Committee.

Neither bill keeps the Internet free of telephone and cable company tollbooths.

How You Can Help

Sign The Internet Freedom Petition.

Stop Congress from handing over control of what you do online to companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast.



Overview

Everyone has a favorite Internet site. Maybe it’s a local events site, or a blog, or a small online magazine. Whatever the content, it's important to us that our Web use is easy and unhindered, and that Web sites put up by individuals, nonprofits and small groups are as accessible as those maintained by big corporations.

Now, however, the largest telephone and cable companies are trying to limit our Internet access by deciding who and what gets priority. Their plan is to force Web site operators to pay a premium for faster service even though it costs providers nothing to give everyone equal access.

Senators still have the opportunity to preserve what’s called Internet neutrality. OSPIRG and the federation of state PIRGs  (U.S. PIRG), have joined a diverse coalition of concerned organizations in urging the Senate to keep our Internet free and open. Every American has the right to enjoy all the benefits that the Internet has to offer. OSPIRG is working to make sure that right is protected.



OSPIRG’s Laura Etherton presents Sen. Wyden with a stack of supportive petitions at an Internet freedom news conference held at Powell’s books in Portland.

 

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