Web companies to oppose FCC actions

WASHINGTON — Some of the Internet’s biggest names are banding together for a “day of action” to oppose the Federal Communications Commission, which is working to undo regulations for Internet providers that it passed during the administration of President Barack Obama.

Among the participants are Etsy, Kickstarter and Mozilla, the maker of the popular Firefox Web browser. Also joining the day of protest will be Reddit, the startup incubator Y Combinator and Amazon.

On July 12, the companies and organizations are expected to change their websites to raise awareness of the FCC effort, which is aimed at deregulating the telecom and cable industries. Mozilla, for example, will change what users see on their screens when they open a new browser window.

At stake are the government’s net neutrality rules, which prohibit Internet providers from blocking or slowing websites or charging them special fees in order for their content to be displayed to consumers. Cable and telecom companies say ending the rules will allow them to invest in infrastructure and create “fast lanes” for video and data services that pay for the privilege. Consumer groups say keeping the rules will encourage competition by requiring Internet service providers to treat all online traffic equally.

The digital rally recalls a similar online effort in 2012 by Google, Wikipedia and others to protest federal legislation on Internet piracy. The companies blacked out their websites in an effort to show how the bill could lead to censorship.