Apparently, the first Monday after Black Friday is a big online shopping day, as Americans go back to work … and shop online. Whether CyberMonday is hype or not for retailers, it’s a good day to celebrate Internet openness.
For years, a debate has raged in DC over whether phone and cable companies should be allowed to block, discriminate against, or otherwise interfere with users’ access to everything online. The millions of people and hundreds of groups favoring Internet openness advocate for a network neutrality law, ensuring this openness. Many favor net neutrality because of free speech concerns.
But let’s not forget that an open Internet supports American business. Any company, or person, can sell any products online without permission. Any person can go to any site–not one with a special deal with the phone or cable company–to buy any gift for any loved one.
It’s for business reasons that net neutrality proponents include Amazon, EBay, Sony, Google, and Expedia. It’s why top venture capitalists argue that, in the 21st Century, investment in new businesses and entrepreneurs–and therefore job growth–rests on net neutrality.
So enjoy the open Internet today–and maybe interrupt your CyberMonday shopping for a moment of work for net neutrality–whatever your day job…
Marvin Ammori 