Tell Congress that Net Neutrality Matters to Innovators

Tell Congress that Net Neutrality Matters to Innovators

Today is a Day of Action in support of an open internet and urging Congress to restore the net neutrality principles that were recently rolled back by the FCC. Twilio is proud to power the communications of non-profit organizations helping mobilize constituents on this important issue.  Here are two quick actions you can take:

• Call your members of Congress at Battle for the Net.

• Sign the petition at Change.org

As we said after the December vote, the fight is far from over.  But Congress needs to hear from innovators, developers and consumers about why net neutrality matters to you and what you believe should happen next.

That’s why Twilio’s CEO and cofounder Jeff Lawson recently laid out his own vision for a true Internet Bill of Rights in a recent medium post:

• A true bill of rights must protect and respect all forms of consumer communication that rely on the internet and software-driven technology. The internet is much more than just static website content.

• A true bill of rights must restrict blocking or throttling regardless of platform. That means no more blocking internet data or text messaging simply based on the platform a sender chooses to communicate with consumers.

• A true bill of rights must protect consumer privacy. Carriers shouldn’t be able to treat the content of their subscribers’ communications as something they can introspect, opine on, and block based on reading the content of their subscribers’ private communications.

• A true bill of rights must be transparent. It should be simple for consumers to understand their rights and seek a fast appeal if blocking or throttling has occurred.

• A true bill of rights must include clear enforceable rules and means to correct behavior that negatively affects consumers. Without enforcement provisions and appropriate oversight, the promises above are rights in name only.

• A true Internet Bill of Rights would protect consumers, level the playing field for all participants, and provide transparency for both providers and consumers of communications. A true Internet Bill of Rights would enshrine and support the freedom to communicate.

In short, it’s about the freedom to communicate.

Take a minute today to let Congress know how you feel about protecting an open internet. Visit Battle for the Net to call Congress, and sign the petition at Change.org.