Online sites across U.S. take part in protest to support net neutrality

Facebook, Twitter, Googleand dozens of other major technology companies are participating in an online protest on Wednesday to oppose proposed changes to U.S. net neutrality rules that prohibit broadband providers from giving or selling access to certain internet services over others.

In support of the "Internet-Wide Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality," more than 80,000websitesare displaying alerts, ads and short videos to urge the public to oppose the overturn of the landmark 2015 net neutrality rules.

Net neutrality is a broad principle that prohibits broadband providers from giving or selling access to speedy internet, essentially a "fast lane," to certain internet services over others. The rule was implemented by theObamaadministration in 2015.

The changes are being proposed by the head of the U.S. Federal CommunicationsCommision,AjitPai, appointed by President Donald Trump in January. The public will have until mid-August to send comments to the FCC before the final vote.

• Why you should be paying attention to the net neutrality debate
• Trump signs repeal of broadband internet privacy rules
• Net neutrality passes in landmark FCC decision

Pai wants the commission repeal the rules that reclassified internet service providers as if they were utilities. He thinks the open internet rules adopted under former PresidentBarackObama, a Democrat, were unnecessary and harm jobs and investment.

Twitter and Google, part of Alphabet Inc., expressed inblogposts their support for the existing net neutrality rules, encouraging users to participate in the online protest. Twitter was also promoting the hashtag #NetNeutrality throughoutthe day.

"Net Neutrality is foundational to competitive, free enterprise, entrepreneurial market entry and reaching global customers. Youdon'thave to be a big shot to compete. Anyone with a great idea, a unique perspective to share, and a compelling vision can get in the game," Twitter said.

Popular online forumRedditdisplayed a slow-loading logo and a pop-up notice warning its users of the risks associated with repealing net neutrality rules. One of the top posts on the forum was "Your online gaming is once again at risk. Net Neutrality needs your help."

Others likeNetflixand Amazon Inc displayed banners on top of their home pages or posted short videos explaining net neutrality, urging consumers to send comments to the FCC.

Internet provider AT&T also joined the big protest even though the wireless giant in the past has disagreed with staunch net neutrality advocates over how to enforce it.

The Internet Association, a group representingFacebook, Googleand others, has said the rules were working and that reversingthem "will result in a worseinternetfor consumers and less innovation online."

Net Neutrality advocates, like CanadianCory Doctorow, co-editor of Boing Boing,explain that what's at stake is the ability to access theinternetat a reasonable price, unfettered by the restraints of cost.

"It's the poor who suffer disproportionately because they're the ones with the least to ability to pay," Doctorowtold CBC News.

Doctorow also suggested that Canada might inadvertently benefit from the U.S. rolling back existing net neutrality protections.

"Maybe if the Americans screwed up enough, there'll be somespace for Canadians to enter themarket," saidDoctorow. "Maybe we'll get another fresh round of entrepreneurs who come to Canada to do their own thing in our country."

As for Canadian internet subscribers worried about their own digital services, Canada's Liberal government has not expressed a desire to rollback existing net neutrality protections afforded to Canadians.