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Steve's message (or perhaps it was a deep fake generated by an AI
and not really from Steve?) got me thinking about "Network
Neutrality" and Email, and wondering how they (and other
"applications") relate to each other.<br>
<br>
I don't know if there is a legal definition of "network neutrality",
but Wikipedia says:<br>
<br>
"<b>Network neutrality</b>, often referred to as <b>net neutrality</b>,
is the principle that <a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_service_provider"
title="Internet service provider">Internet service providers</a>
(ISPs) must treat all <a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet" title="Internet">Internet</a>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication"
title="Communication">communications</a> equally, offering <a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_(computing)"
title="User (computing)">users</a> and online content providers
consistent rates irrespective of content, <a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Website" title="Website">website</a>,
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computing_platform"
title="Computing platform">platform</a>, <a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_software"
title="Application software">application</a>, type of equipment,
source address, destination address, or method of communication
(i.e., without <a
href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_discrimination"
title="Price discrimination">price discrimination</a>)"<br>
<br>
If I put on my non-techie hat and think like a lawyer or politician
for a minute (and IANAL), what does "Network Neutrality" mean to
me? <br>
<br>
My ISP provides me with a variety of "internet communications"
services. It includes the ability to send and receive IP datagrams,
but as a non-techie human I don't do that myself or even know what
it means. To me, the Network is all about what I use it to do.
That includes email, using the web, and other forms of interacting
with other humans and organizations.<br>
<br>
My ISP provides me with an email address and the ability to send and
receive email. Many ISPs apparently do this too. Some also
provide me the ability to have my own website which the ISP operates
somewhere in its "cloud". <br>
<br>
There is much more to "Internet communications services" than just
transporting IP datagrams, especially in the minds of the non-techie
masses.<br>
<br>
Does this mean that email, web hosting, and other such
communications that people do on the 'Net must conform to whatever
laws, rules, regulations, and policies are created to enforce
Network Neutrality? Why would Network Neutrality be limited to just
the service of transporting IP datagrams?<br>
<br>
So, ...<br>
<br>
Does that mean that all email must be treated equally? Can ISPs, or
their Users, limit the kinds of content that can be sent in email?
Must all "spam filters" be removed since they treat email
communications differently based on content, addresses, or other
characteristics? Can "mailing lists" (like this one) restrict the
content sent through them or the addresses allowed to use them?<br>
<br>
Does that mean that all websites must be treated without prejudice
-- so that features like "ad blockers" become illegal?<br>
<br>
Does that mean that "social media" communications services are ISPs,
since they provide communications service as part of the Internet?
Are they subject to Network Neutrality laws and regulations?<br>
<br>
You probably get the idea.... Thinking like a lawyer or
policy-maker, how would you answer such questions? How do you
think the actual policy-makers will?<br>
<br>
Jack Haverty<br>
<br>
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