A number of leading websites, including Mozilla, Reddit, KickStarter, FourSquare, Vimeo, and Meetup will become slow to use this Wednesday (10th September) in protest over the US governments net neutrality proposal that could see the formation of a two-tiered internet- giving priority to higher paying customers.
The FCC’s net neutrality proposal, announced in April, has received steady criticism from advocates of free and open Internet.
Now influential tech companies will all simulate what the user experience could be like on their sites without current net neutrality protections- dubbed ‘Go Slow Day’.
The goal is to protest proposed rules that would allow Internet service providers to create fast lanes for companies that can afford to pay.
A number of major porn sites, including PornHub, RedTube, and YouPorn are also joining in ..
Startup lobbying group Engine is organizing the protest.
For the Internet Slowdown on September 10, many participating companies will install widgets on their sites displaying a revolving icon (a common signal of slowly loading content) to symbolize how the Internet would function in a world without net neutrality. Others, including Engine, will direct their users to call or email policymakers.
The deadline for public comments to be submitted to the FCC is 15 September, having been extended in July due to overwhelming interest from the public.
Following the passing of the deadline, a second round of comments on the original submissions will open. A final ruling by the FCC is then expected to be made by the end of the year.