Hacker Visions

This Friday, I’ll be testifying before the New York City Council’s Committee on Technology in Government, which is conducting a hearing on Net Neutrality. Specifically, they are considering Gale Brewer‘s proposed resolution asking Congress to pass the Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2009, which would:

Makes it the duty of each Internet access service provider to:
(1) not block, interfere with, discriminate against, impair, or degrade the ability of any person to use an Internet access service;
(2) not impose certain charges on any Internet content, service, or application provider;
(3) not prevent or obstruct a user from attaching or using any lawful device in conjunction with such service, provided the device does not harm the provider’s network;
(4) offer Internet access service to any requesting person;
(5) not provide or sell to any content, application, or service provider any offering that prioritizes traffic over that of other such providers; and
(6) not install or use network features, functions, or capabilities that impede or hinder compliance with these duties. Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate related rules.

Prohibits construing this Act to prohibit an Internet access provider from engaging in reasonable network management.

Requires the FCC to:
(1) promulgate rules to ensure that an Internet access service provider does not require a consumer, as a condition on the purchase of any Internet access service, to purchase any other service or offering; and
(2) take certain actions, including regarding private transmission capacity services.

This is a good opportunity to help the City Council understand how net neutrality principles protect New Yorkers. The City has franchise agreements with the various ISPs. Eventually, I’d like to see net neutrality principles become part of those agreements. This is how we start down that road.

If you work with an organization that loves freedom, democracy and technology, come represent! Tell the Council why they need to pass Resolution 712-A.