Internet Slowdown Day is latest move to protect net neutrality

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- If you notice an uptick in the frequency of the "spinning wheel of death" as you browse the Internet Wednesday, there is a reason for that.

The Internet is not actually slowing down, but the wheel is showing up more often as popular websites protest the end of net neutrality on Internet Slowdown Day.

Netflix, Foursquare, Etsy and other websites are participating by featuring loading icons on their pages encouraging users to sign a letter to Congress, the Federal Communications Commission and the White House in an attempt to stop them from ending net neutrality.

Ending or changing net neutrality rules would allow Internet service providers to increase costs for high traffic websites like Netflix and Hulu or force them to create a "slow lane" for customers, hampering the quality of service. It could also unfairly disable startups trying to get their website established. The goal of "Team Internet" is to have Internet users send all their comments to the FCC before it stops accepting public opinion prior to the decision.

The net neutrality public comment period on the FCC website concludes Sept. 15.