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Comment by runjake | Hacker News Reader

Summary:

Do you want corporations to act as unregulated "traffic controllers"? Then you're against net neutrality.

Do you want an accountable government agency with a lackluster track record for citizens' digital rights to act as a "traffic controller"? Then you're for net neutrality.

* Before voting me down, look at the actions the federal government has already taken in regards to traffic control (ala exempting wireless carriers, and kill switch legislation). This smells like traffic control to me.

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Then you aren't familiar with network neutrality, which has nothing to do with the FCC dictating what kind of traffic is and is not allowed or controlling traffic.

No it certainly doesn't have anything to do with that. However it does set the precedent that the FCC can set rules for how businesses operate their networks, and once that precedent is set it will become much easier to extend it to regulation of traffic. Keep in mind that governments rarely give up a power once it's become accepted, but that they are quick to extend any powers they do have.

This isn't necessarily the first or last link in that chain, but it is a link in the chain.

Isn't the FCC already regulating the Internet through CALEA? I don't quite understand the idea that NN is the FCC's "foot in the door".

Yes that's a good point. I edited my comment before I saw your reply and once after I saw your reply.

I'm not too familiar with CALEA but it seems to be an example of the phenomenon I was describing. It began as a way for law enforcement to monitor VOIP but expanded in 10 years to cover all internet traffic.

A good little technical overview of what CALEA entails here:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/lan/catalyst6500/io...

Given that the government exists first to protect the interests of the people, and given that many of these carriers operate with government granted monopolies, I find it hard to shed any tears for these corporations.

Please remember, network neutrality isn't springing out of a vacuum. This net neutrality movement comes in response to real world events and corporate mergers.

Well put, thanks.

But we vote and elect our government. Don't we?

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