The Federal Communications Commission today voted to repeal Net Neutrality rules put in place by the United States government back in 2015 under the Obama administration (via Recode). Instead of classifying internet service providers as "common carriers" under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934, the FCC has voted 3-2 in favor of rolling back to reclassifying ISPs as "information service" providers, as they were between February 1996 and February 2015. Now, companies like AT&T, Charter, Comcast, and Verizon will be allowed to block or slow down a user's access to certain websites, as well as potentially charge access to sites and services. The vote passed in favor under FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, along with the two other Republican commissioners Michael O'Rielly and Brendan Carr. Outvoted were Democrat commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel. The order now adopted by the FCC today will eliminate a "utility-style regulation" of ISPs, and also removes any requirement for these companies to refrain from blocking or throttling web traffic. One requirement remaining is that telecom companies will be forced to tell customers if and when they prioritize their content over competitors, and if they don't they could face penalties from the Federal Trade Commission. Apple and many other large technology companies previously urged the FCC to reconsider its proposal. Those in favor of keeping ISPs classified under Title II argued that the FCC rolling back the internet's classification as a public utility will hurt net neutrality, as it could eventually divide internet users into so-called "fast lanes" and "slow lanes." Throughout his remarks given today, Pai said that this will not be the case. Apple's comment on the topic earlier this year stated that this ruling could "fundamentally alter the internet as we know it," and if it passed it would be put in place to the detriment of consumers, competition, and innovation. Around the same time, the FCC received a record-breaking 22 million comments from the public who voiced their opinions on the controversial issue in the months leading up to today's vote. Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts. Article Link: FCC Has Voted to Repeal Net Neutrality Rules
Yeah, pretty sure they will just do it anyway and take the $10,000 fine, which they know will never actually be enforced under Trump/Pai anyway.
"There will still be cops on the beat guarding a free and open Internet." No there won't Ajit. You are the cops, and just took everyone off duty. Now all that's left is Pall Blart who can't do anything except yell "stop".
Did they really add a provision that States can't make their own rules? And would that really stand in court? I think only Congress would have such authority, not the FCC, and AFAIK there was no vote on it? I hope States will be able to fight back, I know they are already preparing to take action here in WA.
Yes, finally all the fear mongering from the left can stop. The world will continue to spin and innovation will not be hindered by Obama era regulation.
HRC was a corrupt piece of ****. Sure maybe NN would have survived but she didn’t deserve the presidency either. I pray the American people wake up and demand quality, honest, hard working, proven candidates who have shown through action they care about the American people above all else in future elections. No more of this well they suck but they are on team so I’ll vote for them.
I truly feel sorry for my neighbors down South and all the crap you’ve had to put up with. Gonna be 4 years of hell. Or maybe less, when Trump get impeached