Is winning net neutrality enough to save the Internet?

[Commentary] Network neutrality advocates can add the recent court decision to a recent string of victories on behalf of everyday Internet users. The court ruling is a huge deal — but it doesn’t mean the Internet is safe from threats coming from powerful companies and elsewhere. Winning net neutrality is part of a broader effort to make sure the Internet continues to promote opportunity and free expression for all.

The week of June 13 , 17 public-interest organizations released an Internet policy platform that outlines specific proposals to create a more inclusive, open, secure and affordable Internet. The platform signers are a diverse collection of Internet-rights, racial-justice and consumer-advocacy groups, including 18 Million Rising, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Media Justice, ColorOfChange, Demand Progress, New America’s Open Technology Institute, Public Knowledge and Free Press (my organization). We’re calling on all presidential candidates to commit to expanding Internet access and making it more affordable, protecting net neutrality, opposing government-mandated backdoors into communications technologies and promoting competition among Internet service providers. We sent the platform to the chairs of both major parties and to Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. Saving the Internet is a battle with many fronts. But the unifying objective is to secure everyone’s rights to connect and communicate. As we get ready to vote in November, Internet users should pressure every candidate on the ballot to explain their positions on key technology issues. Protecting our latest win on net neutrality is only a first step.

[Timothy Karr is the senior director of strategy for Free Press.]