We are all pretty addicted to the Internet, aren't we? Not just looking at cat videos and socializing online, the Internet has become a useful, indispensable part of our life. So naturally the man who's single-handedly trying to 'break' the Internet won't be in our good books.
Ajit Pai / REUTERS
Meet Ajit Pai, the chairman of the US Federal Communications Commission -- kind of like the IT & Broadcasting Minister, if you had to draw an Indian parallel. A very powerful man, who's trying to end net neutrality in the US, making it difficult and expensive for common folk to access Internet going forward.
In his capacity as the chairman of the FCC, Ajit Pai released a plan to kill net neutrality as it currently exists in the US. A highly unpopular move among ordinary US citizens, obviously -- but something that American Internet providers (local telecom giants) will be very happy about, no doubt.
Under Ajit Pai's controversial leadership, the FCC?The FCC released the final draft of its proposal to destroy net neutrality norms in the US. According to various reports, the FCC proposal takes away nearly every net neutrality rule, paving the way for internet providers to start charging for fast and slower Internet lanes (just like cable TV), prioritize their own apps and services and block whatever they deem fit (more than just pirated content).
No more net neutrality? / REUTERS
Net neutrality laws were finalized in the US a few years ago. In the current draft proposal arguing for the total repel of net neutrality framework, Ajit Pai's FCC argues?the whole premise of net neutrality is ¡°misguided and legally flawed approach.¡± Removing net neutrality rules, FCC claims, will ¡°facilitate critical broadband investment and innovation by removing regulatory uncertainty and lowering compliance costs.¡±
This is obviously a deeply worrying trend, not just for America, but for places like India which looks up to the US for its net neutrality framework. Imagine if companies like Airtel, Vodafone and Jio -- who are the popular 4G Internet providers in the country -- decide to charge money for letting you access Whatsapp or Youtube? Not a pretty picture, right? Well, that's what America is staring at in its near future, with the demise of net neutrality.
And when the dust finally settles on this issue, people will largely have one Indian American to blame for all their trouble.?