Don't let big cable sell your private information

From Free Press Action Fund:

This is a story of cynical Beltway politics at its worst.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has two strong proposals on the table: one would stop Comcast from selling your private information without your consent, and another would lower your cable-TV bill by ending the monopoly on that set-top box you're forced to rent each month.

Thousands of us have written in support of these common-sense, pro-consumer policies — but it isn't clear whether they'll move forward before the end of the Obama administration.

The cable industry's friends in Congress are threatening the survival of both of these measures. Instead of letting the agency do its job, they're pressuring Wheeler to resign right after the election and stalling the renomination of Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel.

Holding up a confirmation to force the agency's hand on unrelated topics is no way to govern.
Worse still: It might be working.1

Rosenworcel is reportedly reluctant to move quickly on these crucial measures. And they need her vote to pass.

We need the FCC to stand up to industry and reject Congress’ political games.

Tell the FCC to protect your privacy and lower your cable bill TODAY.

Anything worth doing at the FCC is going to take at least a 3–2 vote. Chairman Wheeler, Commissioner Mignon Clyburn and Commissioner Rosenworcel have a chance to go down in history as leaders of the FCC that did more for the public interest than any other. Their decisions over the next few months could cement that legacy — but only if all three of them hold strong.

We need them to work together — now.

1. Source

To sign petition

Join the protest to protect Net Neutrality

From Demand Progress:

Imagine all your favorite websites taking forever to load, while you get annoying notifications from your ISP suggesting you switch to one of their approved “Fast Lane” sites.

Think about what we would lose: all the weird, alternative, interesting, and enlightening stuff that makes the Internet so much cooler than mainstream Cable TV. What if the only news sites you could reliably connect to were the ones that had deals with companies like Comcast and Verizon?

How would your worldview be different? Do you think you’d have found Demand Progress or other causes you care about? Would you be getting this email?

On September 10th, just a few days before the FCC’s comment deadline, public interest organizations are issuing an open, international call for websites and internet users to unite for an “Internet Slowdown” to show the world what the web would be like if Team Cable gets their way and trashes net neutrality.

We need everyone on board for this. Got a website or blog? Find out how the slowdown works and how you can join here.

If you don’t have a website, you are still part of this! Here’s a quick list of things you can do to help in the Battle for the Net.

This isn’t about how quickly our cat videos load, it’s about the future of our ability to communicate, to learn, to create, and to rebel. It’s about the future of humanity.

We've proved time and again that even concentrated monopoly and government power is no match for the power of people’s voices connected and amplified by the free and open web.

That power is our greatest asset as we take on some of the country's wealthiest, most aggressive, and most corrupt corporations. This could be one of our last chances to defend it.

If we lose it, we lose a lot more than just the Internet. If we win, we win a lot more than just streaming video. The stakes are high and we should be acting like it.

The Internet is counting on each and every one of us to act. Let’s not let ourselves down. See you on the net September 10th!

Thanks.

-Demand Progress