Over the last few months, net neutrality has developed into a hot-button topic in the United States. The concept, which has been fiercely debated by politicians, communication providers and the general public, would grant the Federal Communications Commission the power to ensure that all websites, platforms and content are treated equally by Internet service providers (ISPs). The proposal has been criticized by some organizations that feel it will diminish Internet revenues and increase Federal regulation in the private sector.

While controversial in the U.S., the concept of net neutrality has begun to gain traction overseas. In fact, Chile recently became the first country in the world to establish official net neutrality regulations.

Under the new law, Chilean ISPs can no longer "interfere with, discriminate against or modify" content unless they are doing so to protect users from online security threats, according to Telecom Paper. The measure also forces ISPs to provide customers with a written copy of their contract and supply them with parental control services. 

Furthermore, the law dictates that Internet service providers protect users from viruses and breaches of privacy.

Renaldo Lemos, the director of the Center for Technology and Society at Fundaçao Getulio Vargas, a Brazilian think tank and law school, said that the new regulations make a great deal of sense for developing countries as the government is quite often responsible for the creation of universal broadband, Intellectual Property Watch reports.

“It is hard to argue against net neutrality in such cases,” Lemos told the news source “These networks must be neutral and regarded as ‘common carriers.’”

Meanwhile, debate over net neutrality continues to rage on in the U.S. Earlier this month, Google and Verizon released their suggested legislative framework for domestic regulations.

While some industry experts feel the companies’ proposal guarantees a certain level of equality among ISPs, others believe that it would only benefit the largest providers. 

Beecher Tuttle is a Web Editor for TechZone360. He has extensive experience writing and editing for print publications and online news websites. He has specialized in a variety of industries, including health care technology, politics and education. He received his bachelor's degree in English from the University of Colorado.

Edited by Erin Harrison