It is time for a new deal on internet equality

As the Nation’s largest and oldest Latino civil rights organization, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), stands firmly in support of universal access to a free and open Internet. We stand behind protecting the interests of all consumers and providing all Americans with the chance to participate in the Internet economy on an equal footing.

LULAC understands the Internet of today is far from the ideal we envision for the future. We acknowledge the limitations that exist with the Net neutrality rules of today, the barrier of a persistent digital divide that still looms over the most disenfranchised of our communities, and the barrier of an Internet ecosystem monopolized by non-diverse content providers.

{mosads}Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai has stated that, “Americans cherish a free and open Internet,” however, we question whether the internet of today is really free and open to all Americans, regardless of their race, zip code, age or income.

As advocates for communities stuck on the wrong side of the digital divide, we believe that the only way to have a different outcome is to change the terms of the debate. This is why LULAC is calling for a New Deal on Internet equality that puts the interests of consumers and would be consumers before the interests of those who have traditionally monopolized Internet conversations.

Access, adoption, affordability, and privacy should be at the forefront of any new pro-consumer deal. We must promote diversity throughout the industry and ensure that all Americans can be creators of content and benefit from the net economy.

We must work toward broadband access that is universally accessible, restoring privacy back to the hands of consumers, and ensuring diverse voices have a seat at the table in conversations that have traditionally been dominated by non-diverse content providers.

In the 21st century, families who lack internet access or can’t afford broadband face significant barriers in pursuing the American dream. Without a broadband connection, these families have reduced access to educational and workplace opportunities, health care, shopping, banking, entertainment and many other services.

Congressional action is needed to protect consumer privacy and to ensure consumers have a right to control their own personal data, requiring permission and compensation from companies who wish to use it. Given the ever-expanding revenue stream generated from the buying and selling of consumer created data on the Internet, we envision a time when royalties for access to this data is used to cover all or part of the typical family’s Internet access charges.

Additionally, content providers must also provide diverse voices the space to be the authors of their own content. With the ever-changing face of America growing more diverse each day, it is only right that content providers reflect that diversity in their hiring. The tech sector can only benefit from having diverse content drivers at the helm of content creation. America’s technology sector should fully reflect the diversity of the American population.

Based on what we have seen, it is clear that the FCC’s existing Network Neutrality Rules are not enough to stop non-diverse monopolies from commandeering the Net. Consequently, LULAC encourages the FCC and Congress to develop incentives to increase diversity in the tech sector and to change the winner-take-all mentality of the largest Internet content providers. One possible strategy would be to redefine a “lawful” service eligible for Network Neutrality protections as one that does not engage in discriminatory employment practices against minorities.

As the Internet economy increasingly dominates the American economy, the fight to ensure all Americans have broadband access becomes ever more imperative. We need to ensure Congress and the Administration are doing everything they can to ensure the promise of this new economy is available to and is being realized by all of us.

Brent Wilkes is the CEO of The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). It is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities.