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Amazon, Reddit join fight to save net neutrality

Amazon, Reddit join fight to save net neutrality
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(RNN) - Numerous web-based companies including Amazon, Etsy, Vimeo and Reddit are planning a global "day of action" to save net neutrality.

The Federal Communications Commission recently proposed new rollbacks to protective net neutrality rules. The "Day of Action for Net Neutrality" protest will take place on July 12.

Their website mission reads:

"The FCC wants to destroy net neutrality and give big cable companies control over what we see and do online. If they get their way, they’ll allow widespread throttling, blocking, censorship and extra fees. On July 12th, the Internet will come together to stop them."

Net neutrality is the idea that internet service providers and their government regulators should treat all data on the web equally. This prevents organizations from discriminating or charging differently between users, content, websites, platforms or applications.

"Net neutrality made it possible for Vimeo, along with countless other startups, to innovate and thrive. The FCC's proposed rollback of the 2015 open internet rules threatens to impede that innovation and allow a handful of incumbent ISPs to determine winners and losers," Vimeo said in a statement.

But how will the protest work?

On July 12, users of each participating website will be asked to contact Congress and the FCC to urge lawmakers to protect net neutrality.

"We have always been strong advocates for net neutrality and we will communicate that to all relevant agencies and Congress," said Reddit General Counsel Melissa Tidwell.

Internet freedom advocacy group Fight for the Future is running the campaign and coordinating the protest.

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