Activists Seek Net Neutrality Protections

internet-good-23
internet-good-23

The Trump administration has the right to repeal Obama-era net neutrality protections. That’s the decision Tuesday by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. The ruling means internet service providers like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast, will continue to have the legal right to block or slow down websites they don’t like, or charge more for faster internet service. Timothy Karr with the nonprofit group Free Press, says the ISPs may now be emboldened to push websites that they own, and thus stifle competition and freedom of expression.

“It’s really the ‘Wild West’ out there. Without net neutrality protections, control over the internet falls into the hands of these very large phone and cable companies that have their own interests in prioritizing certain content over others.”

FCC Chairman Agit Pai, a former attorney for Verizon, welcomed the decision, saying net neutrality has stifled telecom investment. The decision did, however, make it clear that the FCC cannot block state-level net neutrality laws, like the one California passed last year. Michigan’s legislature has enacted no similar protections.