‘The End of the Internet as We Know It’: Residents Slam Net Neutrality Ruling

Internet service providers may be happy with Tuesday’s net neutrality ruling, but there weren’t many supporters in the Twin Cities Twitter-verse.

A three-judge panel form the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia struck down a Federal Communications Commission rule that required broadband companies to treat all Internet content the same. Providers could now charge companies more to ensure their website will be delivered to users faster—and throttle back speeds for websites that don’t pay.

Supporters of the ruling say it will give providers and companies more flexibility and new sources of revenue.

“One thing is for sure: Today’s decision will not change consumers’ ability to access and use the Internet as they do now,” read a Verizon statement released after the ruling. “The court’s decision will allow more room for innovation, and consumers will have more choices to determine for themselves how they access and experience the Internet. Verizon has been and remains committed to the open Internet, which provides consumers with competitive choices and unblocked access to lawful websites and content when, where and how they want. This will not change in light of the court’s decision.”

But critics worry that charging for faster service will disadvantage small startups, who will have a harder time paying the fees than established companies.

That’s an argument may social media users were buying in the wake of the court’s decision.

(Above is a sampling of the Twin Cities tweets. Some people on mobile browsers may not be able to see the tweets. Click here if that’s the case for you.)

How do you feel about the decision? Share your thoughts in the comments below.