Public Knowledge

ACTION ALERT: Tell Congress to Protect the Open Internet
Public Knowledge wants the FCC to protect consumers and extend broadband access to all Americans.  However, we believe that before the FCC can do anything with regard to Internet access, it must have the authority to act. That authority is needed so that the FCC can use Universal Service Funds to support the roll-out of broadband in underserved communities, require accurate disclosures to consumers, ensure usability for people with disabilities, protect your privacy online, and promote a free and open Internet.

ACTION ALERT: Write the White House Now

ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement currently in negotiations, may sound uncontroversial, but, in fact, raises many questions and poses a significant threat to the public interest. Everyone can agree that it is important to internationally enforce laws against large-scale commercial counterfeiting and piracy—protecting against things like Louis Vuitton knock-offs and dangerous counterfeit drugs. And that’s what ACTA ostensibly set out to do. However, there are several fundamental problems with the process, the content, and the vagueness of the Agreement that raise significant concerns.

Net Neutrality is the shorthand term for the concept that companies which operate a telecommunications network, like the telephone and cable companies, shouldn’t be able to play favorites with the content that goes over the network. We strongly support that concept.

ALERT: Tell the FCC to Protect Freedom to Text!

Text messaging is a part of everyday life for millions of people. Because of its importance, in 2007 Public Knowledge and others filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission asking that it clarify that text messaging is subject to the same nondiscrimination rules as voice communications. It’s 2010, and we’re still waiting for the FCC to act.

The FCC has released a National Broadband Plan describing its ideas for improving the use and deployment of broadband in the United States. Public Knowledge is cited in several sections of the Plan, and will continue to participate as the FCC implements its ideas with enforceable rules.