Today is a very important day for the internet. Net neutrality is vitally important to us, and to you. The concept relates to our digital rights as published by the Global Trust Centre, which guarantees our access to information (see Rights and Responsibilities for Citizens in the Digital World). Net neutrality was never really embodied in law in many countries around the world, as it was just assumed by default by everyone, but it was enshrined in law in some countries like the US. However, some governments have censored the internet and the most famous is the “Great Firewall of China”. The United States government is considering ending net neutrality, and allowing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to slow traffic or even block traffic from some websites. This is effectively allowing commercially decided censorship in the United States. The ramifications are that companies like JapanesePhotos.Asia could be blocked if US based competitors paid their ISPs to do so. It also means that traffic moving from our Swiss servers to Japan or to your country may also be slowed or blocked. Ending net neutrality would also set a dangerous precedent, where other countries may follow suit.
Consequently, the Fight for the Future and Demand Progress digital rights groups, and over 70,000 internet-based companies are protesting the US process of ending net neutrality. If you support net neutrality, we strongly urge you to add your name to this petition on the Battle for the Net.
