FCC to Reconsider Net Neutrality
Published May 17, 2017 / Updated August 7, 2020

FCC to Reconsider Net Neutrality

On May 18, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission will reconsider Net Neutrality

by Caitlin Martin

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Image credit: By Nogas1974 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 ] via Wikimedia Commons

**What is it?
**Net Neutrality, also referred to as the Open Internet, allows Internet users to go where they want and when they want. This means that internet service providers (ISPs) will treat all data on the Internet the same — no discrimination or differential pricing based on user type, content, website, platform, etc. In effect, net neutrality disallows an ISP (e.g., Verizon or Comcast) from dictating what content you see online and when.

**The current rules:
**On February 26, 2015, the FCC adopted Open Internet rules designed to protect free expression and innovation on the Internet. These rules went into effect on June 12, 2015. Here’s where you can read more about it:

Fast forward to 2017 and there’s a new FCC Commissioner in town — Ajit Pai. Mr. Pai was previously counsel for Verizon and was known for his opposition to the FCC approach to net neutrality. On April 26, 2017, Mr. Pai announced a plan that would limit FCC oversight of ISPs. This plan could weaken enforcement of net neutrality — meaning that ISPs could ignore the 2015 rules.

**How can I give the FCC feedback?
**See this great post on Reddit.com regarding giving feedback:

https://medium.com/media/96e0dd69eb74cf92e8b04bcb1d5809cb/href

**Is there anything else going on?
**Something to note: the FCC is reporting that they experienced a denial of service attack over the weekend that prevented consumers from registering public comments on the new rule. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) have asked the commissioner to provide information about how many Americans may have been prevented from submitting their feedback.

**Tell Congress what you think!
**Thanks for reading! Text RESIST to 50409 to tell your representatives what you think about this, or see what else is happening this week:

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