Based on the political platform and beliefs of President Trump, it is of little surprise that he is now aiming to limit our First Amendment rights. The Trump Administration aims to repeal the net neutrality protection laws (known as Title II) passed during the Obama administration in 2015, and is pushing its case through the court system.

But what is net neutrality?

Net neutrality is the idea of an open internet where internet providers (such as Verizon, Comcast, and AT&T) are unable to regulate internet speeds and block certain websites that their clients use. Net neutrality also embodies the principle of free speech, and being able to communicate freely with anyone at any time.  In 2015, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed Title II, which protects net neutrality and establishes a free internet, away from the hands of large corporations. Unfortunately, now it seems that Trump’s minuscule hands couldn’t be kept away from yet another beneficial Obama-era legislation.

Why does Trump want to ban net neutrality?

Besides the fact that President Trump loves unnecessary bans, the current FCC chair, Ajit Pai (hired by Trump) claims that the net neutrality laws passed in 2015 stifle innovation. Rather than having certain companies and providers flourish due to their ability to provide faster internet, Title II equaled the playing field by not allowing providers to interfere with our internet. Although Pai presents what seems to be a sound argument, how would the his alternative play out?

The answer is simple: slow internet speeds, blocked websites, and burdening consumer fees, all while companies continue to milk money out of our wallets. This approach is nothing short of anti-consumer, and, quite frankly, anti-American. With our free speech being violated and certain websites being censored, this Title II appeal seems like a step towards a 1984-esque society. Large corporations should have absolutely no say in what consumers can and cannot access on the internet. As Trump’s case is moving up the court system with the possibility of it being tried in Supreme Court, one can only hope that Obama’s pro-consumerist approach will prevail.