Verizon Wireless was just caught slowing Internet speeds on video streaming sites like Netflix and YouTube for millions of Internet users.

On Netflix, customers were getting a fraction of the speed they paid for – but when they tested their connection elsewhere, it suddenly increased.[1][2]

Redditors, journalists and Internet advocates investigated, and it looks like Verizon was slowing online video.[3] When the company was caught red-handed, they said it was just a test. Then they said they were "optimizing" their service.[4] Then they said it didn’t matter because they had every right to do it.[5]

This is exactly why we need strong net neutrality rules – to prevent throttling, censorship, and extra fees for users. We cannot let telecom giants have this much power over what we see and do on the web.

Right now the FCC is leading a crucial consultation that will determine whether net neutrality lives or dies. A key deadline for public input is just days away and we need you to pile on to make sure they feel the pressure to defend users from arbitrary slow downs.

Sign this petition and tell the FCC: “Enforce our net neutrality protections! Investigate whether Verizon broke the rules by slowing online video.”

SOURCES:
[1] A 4G LTE connection on Verizon’s network can achieve speeds up to 50 Mbps. When testing the connecting using Netflix speed test tool, speeds appeared capped at 10Mbps, or 20% of the potential speed.
[2] The Verge.
[3] Reddit.
[4] Ars Technica.
[5] Gizmodo.