Why are we Africans least bothered about Net Neutrality?

This is a pet subject of mine so please allow me to ramble.

Let me be blunt.

Net Neutrality is not something that we understand or even care about in Africa. We think that it doesn’t affect us, its too foreign and is the preserve of busy bodies who have nothing else to do.

Ok. Let me back up abit. 

What is Net Neutrality?

According to Wikipedia:-

Net neutrality (also known as network neutrality, Internet neutrality, or net equality) is the principle that Internet service providers and governments should treat all data on the Internet equally, not discriminating or charging differentially by user, content, site, platform, application, type of attached equipment, or mode of communication. The term was coined by Columbia University media law professor Tim Wu in 2003, as an extension of the longstanding concept of a common carrier.

We must address this issue and elevate it to the level of importance it deserves. The average African doesn't really care about this issue because after all if he/she receives 'free internet’ through internet.org and other initiatives by the internet super powers who are we to say no? We just don’t seem to grasp the devastating effects of continuously being the net consumer of foreign content through social media and other avenues. If we allow this to continue then what happens to all our local content that will be ‘shut out’ of the net through people consuming ‘free internet’?

Can you think about all the startups in Africa being mooted who will have no customers because all eye-balls are focused on foreign social media platforms?

Here’s a favourite Whatsapp message circulating for the last two weeks or so:-

‘HEY, I AM INVITING YOU TO ACTIVATE WHATSAPP WITHOUT INTERNET.THIS IS AN AMAZING SERVICE.NOW YOU CAN RUN WHATSAPP WITHOUT INTERNET.CLICK HERE TO ACTIVATE — WHATSAPPNODATA,COM

Seriously?

I’m reminded of a discussion I had with some friends a few weeks ago. And it goes something like this:-

In a Market Place there are three key players:-

1. The Buyer
2. The Seller
3. The Product.

So if you are not a buyer or a seller who are you? (HINT: YOU ARE THE PRODUCT) :-)

So go ahead and continue to consume ‘free’ internet provided by the Internet Superpowers and think that Net Neutrality doesn't matter and post nonsensical stuff like your latest Facebook update:-

RELATIONSHIP: ITS COMPLICATED

And wonder why one of Facebook’s key metrics is ARPU (Yes, you got that right - Average Revenue Per User).

Still think Net Neutrality is for foreigners and busybody Non-Governmental Organisation types?