The FCC today voted on party lines to repeal the Obama-era net neutrality regulations.
The vote was led by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, who was supported by his fellow Republican Commissioners Brendan Carr and Michael O’Reilly. Pai insists the standing rules were overly burdensome to businesses and reduced investment in internet services. Pai believes the industry should regulate itself and suggests the Federal Trade Commission has the wherewithal to protect consumers from corporate abuses.
Many disagree. Democratic Commissioners Mignon Clyburn and Jessica Rosenworcel offered scathing dissents.
“This decision puts the Federal Communications Commission on the wrong side of history, the wrong side of the law, and the wrong side of the American public,” said Rosenworcel in a rebuke to Pai. “History will not be kind to this vote to destroy Internet openness. But this is not over. I’m not stopping here or now — and neither should you. Let’s keep up the fight. Let’s keep raising a ruckus. The future depends on it,” concluded Rosenworcel.
Millions of Americans submitted comments to the FCC in favor of keeping net neutrality. Those comments were largely ignored by Pai. Broadband providers such as AT&T and Comcast applauded the change.
Consumer-focused organizations such as the ACLU and FreePress have vowed to fight today’s vote through legal action. It’s not clear how quickly the FCC will be able to put its proposed changes into effect.
