Web wrangling
A group of protestors around 100 strong have gathered outside Google's California HQ to voice their concern over Google's controversial net neutrality proposal, which could lead to a two-tier system.
Last week, Google and Verizon laid out plans for internet regulation including the contentious ideas of allowing broadband providers to offer specialised online services and a different set of rules for wireless broadband, which protestors fear could give priority to particular web traffic.
While the proposal to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) champions the principle of an open web for wired services, it also adds loopholes for wireless services, which critics say completely undermines the neutrality concept that seeks to ensure all web data is treated with equal importance and no-one is given special privileges.
The demonstrators outside Google's offices urged the company to practise its ‘don't be evil' motto, fearing the plans could generate a ‘pay to play' web, according to BBC reports.
James Rucker, of consumer group ColorofChange.org, told the BBC: "Companies like Google have benefited from a free and open internet and their plan will destroy that. They are talking about producing a fast lane, essentially a higher tier, for premium content that means if you want to play in the 21st Century internet you will have to pay."
"Whether you are a blogger, an entrepreneur, a journalist or someone trying to organise a community, the internet is precious. We all want to stand together to ensure it is protected for the future. We would expect Google to take leadership in making that happen, not be on the front line of undoing that," he added.
