Topic: Net Neutrality

The FCC has voted to restore net neutrality rules, reclassifying broadband as a public utility under Title II. While proponents argue this prevents ISPs from favoring specific content, skeptics suggest the "safe and fast" internet branding is a cover for increased government regulatory power and the potential blocking of decentralized content.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is scheduled to vote on the return of net neutrality rules, which would prevent internet service providers from throttling or prioritizing specific web traffic. The hosts argue that while the policy is framed as consumer protection, it may allow ISPs to block "illegal" traffic such as Tor or BitTorrent protocols. They trace the history of the regulation from the Obama era through its repeal during the Trump administration.

The FCC's net neutrality proposal includes provisions regarding the security of the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP). Critics argue that government intervention in BGP routing is unnecessary and that the commercial market is better suited to handle internet peering and route flapping issues. The discussion warns against giving the government a "red button" for internet control.

The Westminster Declaration, signed by figures like Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi, is criticized for potentially aligning with government-led net neutrality efforts. The argument is made that net neutrality serves as a ruse for government regulation of the internet under Title II authority.

FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel is pushing to reclassify broadband as a Title II telecommunications service. She argues that the pandemic proved broadband is an essential necessity, requiring the FCC to have "watchdog" authority to ensure the internet remains fast, open, and fair.

The FCC chairman announces plans to reinstate Net Neutrality rules. The hosts argue that Net Neutrality actually "downgrades" internet speeds to a common mean and provides a pretext for governments to throttle "illegal traffic." They specifically identify Tor and BitTorrent protocols as the likely targets of deep packet inspection, which could be used to eliminate movie sharing and anonymous browsing under the guise of equal traffic.

The push to ban TikTok is contrasted with previous U.S. advocacy for net neutrality and a free internet. Critics point out the irony of the U.S. government threatening to ban a foreign app while criticizing China and Iran for similar actions. The proposal to have Oracle host TikTok's U.S. data is noted for Oracle's long-standing role as a primary database provider for the CIA and other intelligence agencies.

Pieczenik and Curry debate the end of net neutrality. Pieczenik argues that the internet was never truly neutral once it left the hands of DARPA and the intelligence agencies. He expresses concern that allowing telecommunications giants like Comcast and AT&T to control the net will stifle innovation, while Curry warns that government regulation is equally dangerous.

The hosts revisit the 700th episode of No Agenda, which coincided with Abby Martin's departure from RT. Martin celebrated "net neutrality" as her greatest victory, which the hosts argue was actually a move to allow ISPs to quash "illegal" traffic like BitTorrent. The retrospective highlights the shift in independent media and the perceived naivety of early internet activism.

The International Olympic Committee bans "taking the knee" during the Tokyo games. Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrice Cullors faces scrutiny for her real estate holdings and her new advocacy for net neutrality, which the hosts suggest is a quid pro quo for donations from tech billionaires.

Sir Largeman, Baron of Bali, revisited episode 704 from 2015, noting how topics like Ukraine and net neutrality remain relevant. He requested a variety of classic jingles from the show's archive, including those related to the Zika and Ebola outbreaks, to encourage producers to dig deeper into the show's history.

Sir Anonymous of Dogpatch contributes $1,661 and reports an increase in violence at hospital ERs due to lockdown-related mental health and drug issues. The donor also predicts that a Biden administration would restart net neutrality and accelerate digital advertising. A discussion follows regarding former CIA Director John Brennan's alleged conversion to Islam and his fitness for office.

The hosts suggest that Mark Zuckerberg actually welcomes government regulation because it creates barriers to entry for smaller competitors. They contrast Facebook's situation with Amazon, noting that Jeff Bezos is "universally hated" despite his efforts to support social causes. A tangent follows regarding the difficulty of finding "normal" items like saran wrap at Amazon-owned Whole Foods.

The technical details of President Trump's petition to the FCC are explored, focusing on Subparagraph C2 of Section 230. The petition seeks to define "good faith" in content moderation to prevent deceptive or pretextual removal of speech. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, previously known for his stance against net neutrality, is expected to oversee the implementation of these new regulatory interpretations.

The hosts discuss the viral success of the Netflix documentary series "Tiger King" as the definitive "Kung Flu" TV hit. They also note that YouTube and Netflix have begun throttling video quality in Europe and other regions to preserve bandwidth, sparking a brief discussion on the practicalities of net neutrality.

One host provides a review of YouTube TV, highlighting its unlimited cloud-based PVR (Personal Video Recorder) and high-resolution 1080p streams. The discussion touches on how the service replaces traditional cable or Sling TV for sports fans while raising concerns about Google's data tracking of viewing habits.

The European Union is considering a temporary suspension of net neutrality laws to manage network congestion as millions of people work from home. The surge in traffic from streaming services like Netflix and online gaming threatens the bandwidth needed for essential services like telemedicine. The hosts argue this proves their long-standing point that ISPs must be able to manage their networks during emergencies.

A listener sent a copy of "The Master Switch" by Tim Wu to the show's PO box. Wu is credited with coining the term "net neutrality," and the book explores the history of communication monopolies. Other mail items included a "Make Hillary Run Again" hat and an "Investigate Bilderberg" t-shirt from anonymous producers.

The proposed T-Mobile and Sprint merger is tied to a commitment to roll out 5G broadband to 99% of the US population. Adam Curry argues that the 5G protocol is the "opposite of net neutrality" because it uses a prioritization system for different types of data. Concerns are raised about the use of unlicensed spectrum and the potential for interference with smart meters.

A $953 donation from Sir Anonymous of Dogpatch prompts a discussion on media bias and the naming of suspects in mass shootings. The donor shares an anecdote about a colleague named Osama who changed his name to Sam due to post-9/11 stigma. The hosts discuss how war sells newspapers and the potential impact of California's net neutrality laws on social media free speech protections.