topic 7

net neutrality is an interesting and controversial topic that has far reaching implications in communication. the original idea that the internet is a decentralized network, not allowing any organization or entity to have a monopoly over content control is being challenged by internet providers such as comcast. comcast fought in court over their ability to regulate traffic based on the type of traffic content--for example, peer to peer traffic was being limited. Although the FCC won that battle, the course of internet has shown that the future of net neutrality is unclear. The once decentralized network that was an ideal for free communication is being challenged by corporations that have the power to limit content. Ultimately the power of censorship on the internet is technology based, and that is why it is such a difficult terrain to regulate. If an entity can develop the technology to create a specific result, it may take time for users or the FCC to even understand what it is doing or who created it. This gives companies an enormous amount of power, and if left unchecked, will mean less and less net neutrality.