The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati ruled Thursday that the FCC does not have the legal authority to restore net neutrality rules that were first implemented in 2015.
Jacqueline Martin/AP
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Jacqueline Martin/AP
A federal appeals court has struck down the Federal Communications Commission’s net neutrality rules, ending a 20-year campaign to regulate Internet service providers like public utilities.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Cincinnati ruled Thursday that the FCC does not have the legal authority to reinstate historic net neutrality rules.
It’s a largely partisan issue that finds Democrats siding with so-called net neutrality in an effort to make internet service providers more responsible for providing fast, safe and reliable internet to everyone. The decision deals a blow to the Biden administration, which has prioritized implementing net neutrality rules.
Net neutrality was first introduced by the FCC during the Obama administration in 2015 and was repealed two years later under then-President Donald Trump.
Then, last year, the FCC effectively brought back net neutrality when it voted to reclassify broadband as public utilities, like water and electricity, to regulate Internet access. Under the Communications Act of 1934, these public utility services are subject to government regulation.
In doing so, the FCC aims to make ISPs liable for service outages, require more robust network security, protect high speeds, and require greater protection of consumer data.
Brendan Carr, the incoming FCC chairman appointed by President-elect Trump, said in a statement She celebrated the Court of Appeal’s decision To reverse what he called “Biden’s online power grab,” he added that he would continue to work to ease the Biden administration’s regulations.
Meanwhile, current FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel urged Congress to act following the ruling.
“Consumers across the country have told us time and time again that they want a fast, open, and fair Internet,” she added. He said in a statement. “With this decision, it is clear that Congress now needs to heed their call, take responsibility for net neutrality, and put open Internet principles into federal law.”
Following the FCC’s order last year reviving net neutrality, USTelecom, a trade group representing internet service providers including AT&T and Verizon, filed a lawsuit against It convinced the appeals court to temporarily block net neutrality rules While they considered the industry issue.
U Telecom He praised Thursday’s decision in a statementHe called the implemented rules “a victory for American consumers that will lead to greater investment, innovation, and competition in the dynamic digital marketplace.”
Despite the decision to abolish federal oversight, Strict net neutrality rules It has been passed in California, Washington, Oregon and other states.