AIB Appeals India To Save The Internet - Key Takeaways & What You Can Do

The Indian comedy group AIB is more serious than ever. Earlier this year, the four team members of AIB posted a video informing its viewers about NetNeutrality and what the citizens of India can do about is. Their efforts collectively with the entire internet pitching in, lead to the awareness spreading like wildfire and about 1 million people sent their emails to TRAI expressing their opinion on the issue. This time around, as the discussion has moved to the Indian's Government's official website mygov.in, where suggestions and comments of Indians are being gathered, AIB created another video to reach out to thousands by talking about the after-effects of what happened back then. Through the video Gursimran Khamba, Tanmay Bhat, Rohan Joshi and Ashish Shakya appeal all of their viewers to take a stand and put their opinions on the mygov.in website before the end of 15th August (India's Independence Day) i.e today.


In last two days, the video has received close to 1,90,000 views. There's a lot of information shared in the video that you can check out (video attached below. And if you prefer reading over watching, here's a summary of the key takeaways from the video -

What happened to those 1 million emails you sent?

TRAI released them all on its official website which led to a lot of spam for innocent citizens. (The list was taken down quickly, but the harm was done.) After people started logging their views, TRAI started sending SMSes that read: "COAI supports # SabKaInternet. I believe that I should have the right to choose what I want to access on the internet. To support, give a missed call."
That message made receivers feel that it is pro NetNeutrality and therefore started giving miss calls thinking their plea has been heard. However, that's completely wrong. All that the message does is use fancy words to trick you into believing that the Government has taken your suggestions into account

So, what are Telecom companies and Facebook really doing?

Telecom Operators and platforms like Facebook now say that they support NetNeutrality. However, what they really are doing is change the definition of NetNeutrality. They're trying to define NetNeutrality as everyone being able to access the Internet. Whereas the truth is, actual NetNeutrality means - Anyone being able to access EVERYTHING on the Internet. Telecom companies are using products like Airtel Zero to push the concept of 'Zero Rating'.

What is 'Zero Rating'?

It is basically a way for Telcos to give you access to certain services and apps for free, just because the companies have partnered with Telcos. This means that users having access to such apps will be able to access them with ZERO data charges. If however you try to access some other app, the app will say 'extra data charges applicable'. Over the time, users would prefer apps that have free access and abandon the other paid apps. This means those companies that can not pay the Telcos for giving free access to their app to its users will suffer.

Facebook is doing something similar with 'Internet.org'. While they aren't charging people money to sign on and become partners, what they are doing is creating a walled garden of select apps and services that people can access for free. But if you try to leave this garden and go to the rest of the Internet, you'd get charged. Facebook isn't trying to protect your rights. Facebook is just trying to make sure that there will never be another Facebook again.

What is DoT up to?

The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) wants to start licensing for VoIP apps. What this means is that they want guys like WhatsApp, Skype, Viber to buy licenses for the call services that they offer over the Internet. Now if WhatsApp has to pay for expensive licenses, you will have to pay WhatsApp for domestic calls. That money is going to come right out of your pocket.

So, what can you do?

Government has now made it mandatory that those who want to leave a comment have to register and create an account on the mygov.in website. AIB appeals everyone to remind the government that we still care about real net neutrality. They say, "We need to hold the DoT accountable for internet freedom."

The Government is open to suggestions and that is a great sign. We keep talking about participatory democracy, and this is your chance to participate.

>> REGISTER at MyGov.in and SEND the Government your comments.
Here's the official link: https://mygov.in/group-issue/give-y...ons-recommendations-committee-net-neutrality/

The important reason for doing this is that - The government still has't finalised the policy & your comments could help them shape policy. They are accepting these suggestions and comments only till 15th of August.

What comments/suggestion can you write?

Tell government that -
1. You do not want Telcos controlling what you access on the internet.
2. They cannot charge differently for different websites and apps.
3. We want to be able to access anything, at any time, without having to pay more for it separately.

Again, here's the official link: https://mygov.in/group-issue/give-y...ons-recommendations-committee-net-neutrality/

Share this article and the video below with anyone and everyone you know who thinks & cares about real NetNeutality. Happy Independence Day, everyone!