04/26/2024
Net neutrality
What happened: The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 to restore Obama-era regulations protecting net neutrality. The rules, which were rescinded during the Trump administration, prohibit providers from speeding up internet service for those willing to pay more and slowing service down for the rest.
Legal basis: Title II of the Communications Act of 1934 gives the FTC broad authority to regulate “common carriers,” a category that this rule defines internet providers as falling under.
Who it will affect: Under the new rules, broadband internet would be treated like a utility, facing the same regulations as phone and water companies and required to treat their customers equally. Theoretically, all internet users will be impacted — although it’s worth noting that in the years since the rules were repealed by Trump, there haven’t been many examples of companies meddling with internet service in the ways that net neutrality forbids.
