Hina Khan
ITN 267
Professor Walter Pehrsson
Ethics and Net Neutrality
Identification of Key Relevant Ethical Issues
The preservation of neutrality is
... [Show More] the key moral concern in this case study. Should net neutrality
be maintained as a result? The Federal Communications Commission's decision to abolish
legislation requiring all "Internet service providers" to ensure that all consumers had unrestricted
access to online content prompted this ethical concern (Collins, 2018). Although some people are
in favor of the move, others argue that repealing net neutrality regulations would result in web
service providers charging extra fees and censoring Internet content.
Asking the Right Questions
• Should net neutrality be preserved in order to remove unfair activities that define the broadband
market?
• Can the government take the lead in regulating Internet service providers' practices and
behaviors?
When delving into the problem of net neutrality, ask the following questions: • What are some of
the repercussions of repealing net neutrality policies?
• What laws exist to prevent Internet service providers from engaging in unethical behavior and
practices?
• What are the advantages of upholding net neutrality?
• What was the main objective of enacting net neutrality regulations in 2015?
Justification of the Preservation of Net Neutrality
Opponents of the FCC's decision to abolish net neutrality laws have cited a variety of reasons to
back up their claims. Net neutrality regulations were introduced by the Obama administration in
2015 in an effort to prevent Internet providers from increasing fees for accessing unique online
content. Furthermore, these policies aimed to discourage providers from preferring one web site
over another. Most notably, maintaining net neutrality will prevent situations in which internet
providers block web content or raise their prices (Collins, 2018). These situations, according to
supporters of net neutrality laws, will be detrimental to small businesses. The Obama
administration's original net neutrality laws were critical in implementing a legislative agenda
aimed at curbing unethical activities associated with the rapidly evolving Internet. The first
unethical activity addressed by the net neutrality rules is blocking. Providers were barred from
discriminating against lawful online content by blocking applications and a variety of other
websites under net neutrality laws. Furthermore, supporters of net neutrality legislation argue
that such laws aided in the prevention of throttling. Net neutrality laws were introduced to
prevent service providers from slowing data delivery because of the content's characteristics.
Prioritization by means of payment was outlawed. Net neutrality advocates also claim that
repealing the legislation would result in service providers developing an Internet fast lane for
consumers and businesses willing to pay a premium. [Show Less]