Netflix changes tune, says it “will never outgrow the fight for net neutrality.”

Netflix is now planning to participate in the "Internet-Wide Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality” on July 12, protest organizers said today.

While major Web companies like Amazon and Reddit were on board from the get-go, Netflix seemed to have dropped out of the fight to preserve net neutrality rules. Recently, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said that net neutrality rules have become less important to Netflix because "we're big enough to get the deals we want," and the time has come for smaller companies to lead the way.

Netflix may have heard from net neutrality supporters who were upset that the company pulled back from the debate just as the Federal Communications Commission is seeking to gut rules that Netflix lobbied for.

"Netflix will never outgrow the fight for #NetNeutrality," the company said today in a tweet that links to the Day of Action website. "Everyone deserves an open Internet."

Netflix US ✔ @netflix
Netflix will never outgrow the fight for #NetNeutrality. Everyone deserves an open Internet. http://*******/2qXTArp
2:37 PM - 15 Jun 2017
Photo published for The FCC wants to destroy net neutrality and give giant cable companies control over the Internet
The FCC wants to destroy net neutrality and give giant cable companies control over the Internet
On July 12th: we’ll stop them. Join the Internet-Wide Day of Action to save net neutrality!
battleforthenet.com

Online video providers are among the biggest beneficiaries of net neutrality rules, as Internet providers might otherwise try to restrict access to video services that compete against their cable TV packages. Netflix is the most popular video streaming service in the US and was one of the most prominent advocates for net neutrality rules before the FCC imposed the regulations in February 2015.

On the July 12 Day of Action, participating websites are expected to display prominent messages about FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's plan to gut net neutrality rules. Sites are also expected to provide visitors with tools to contact Congress and the FCC. When contacted by Ars today, Netflix said it does not yet have specific details to share about its plans for July 12.

In 2014, Netflix participated in the "Internet slowdown," a similar protest in which sites displayed symbolic "loading" symbols along with a message asking visitors to support net neutrality rules.

The protest is being organized by advocacy groups Fight for the Future, Free Press, and Demand Progress. The groups say that thousands of websites have decided to join, with notable participants including OkCupid, Mozilla, Etsy, Kickstarter, Vimeo, and PornHub.

"Massive online mobilization got us the strong net neutrality protections that we have now, and we intend to fight tooth-and-nail to defend them," Fight for the Future Campaign Director Evan Greer said in the announcement that Netflix is joining the protest.