Chennai: Batting for net neutrality, DMK Treasurer MK Stalin on Monday said any move to allow telecom companies to give preferential access to websites would go against the concept of equality.
He also asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India not to consider such proposals.
"If it is allowed, companies will be allowed to charge extra for commonly used services like whatsapp, YouTube, web based voice calling and others," he said.
"This will also allow telcos to allow preferential treatment of websites, allowing the big companies to destroy start-ups and internet based small business by blocking or slowing them down. This goes against the very concept of the internet where every legal website or service is considered equal," he said in a statement.
Attempts to increase profits of the telecom companies by "surrendering social gains should be condemned," he said while requesting Telecom Regulatory Authority of India not to mull such proposals and let the internet continue to be a neutral medium "which serves our country and community instead of a select few companies."
