Av 
has been repealed. It’s a term that’s almost unknown to the average user, and it seems to have little significance. That, however, is a huge mistake. Essentially, this concept means that the company you pay for your internet connection (your provider) is required to give you access to data at the same speed. It’s based on the principle of equality for all data. If this is violated, you can expect some very interesting consequences.
The provider should adhere to and enforce this “law,” which was established back in 2003 by Professor Tim Wu. If this “law” does not exist, your provider can calmly slow down your connection and then demand more money. Or they can completely block your access to your favorite website. All of these would be the consequences if this “law” did not exist. This is exactly what happened in the U.S.
On Wednesday, December 18, 2017, the “famous” FCC—the Federal Communications Commission—met again in the U.S. It was founded in 1934 with the mission of regulating international communications. It is an independent agency accountable only to the U.S. Congress. And it was precisely these “wise guys” who voted that data is not equal, thereby giving all providers a completely free hand. True, Congress could still reject it, or perhaps the Supreme Court, but that’s just “what-if” speculation.
I’ve never had any illusions about American freedom, but with this, as my colleague says, they’ve really screwed it up. If data isn’t equal, it effectively means the end of internet freedom. I just hope that something similar doesn’t occur to anyone here. Those in the government would approve it because they wouldn’t have a clue what it’s about—just like with everything else—and that’s certainly not what anyone wants.
This groundbreaking decision surprises me precisely because the U.S. is always talking about freedom and democracy. So let’s hope Congress will be wiser.