A federal appeals court on Thursday struck down the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality rules. The court said the FCC overstepped its authority by reinstating the rules last year. The decision is a major blow to the Biden administration.
It is the latest chapter in a years-long battle over how much power the FCC has to regulate internet service providers. Net neutrality advocates say internet service is an essential utility that should be regulated to prevent abuses. These abuses could include prioritizing internet speeds for those who can pay more.
Net neutrality rules prohibit internet providers from blocking, slowing down, or charging extra for specific internet content and applications.
Court curtails FCC’s net neutrality authority
However, major internet service providers have consistently opposed such regulations.
They say they should have the freedom to manage their businesses independently. The court sided with these providers. It said the FCC lacks the authority “to impose its desired net-neutrality policies.”
Matt Wood is the Vice President of Policy at Free Press, an internet rights group.
He criticized the decision. He said it allows the FCC under the Trump administration to “abdicate its responsibility to protect internet users against unscrupulous business practices.”
The FCC’s attempts at net neutrality regulation have frequently changed with the political tide. This reflects broader tensions over control and fairness in internet governance.
April Isaacs is a news contributor for DevX.com She is long-term, self-proclaimed nerd. She loves all things tech and computers and still has her first Dreamcast system. It is lovingly named Joni, after Joni Mitchell.
