Federal appeals court opens door for state sway on net neutrality

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upheld the Federal Communications Commission’s repeal of net neutrality but granted the states the right to pass laws to protect consumers. Five states have passed laws to protect net neutrality, and 34 states have introduced laws. Congress has greater incentive now to pass a new law on net neutrality to bring order across the nation. (CNET, October 2, 2019, by Marguerite Reardon)

The EFF is upset that the appeals court did not strike down a FCC ban on net neutrality not based on expertise and the technical realities of the internet. The EFF hopes Congress will step up to reaffirm net neutrality but note that Republicans have so far blocked the Save the Net Act siding with the big Internet Service Providers, namely, AT&T, Verizon and Comcast. (Electronic Freedom Foundation, October 1, 2019, by Corynne McSherry, Katharine Trendacosta and Ernesto Falcon)

The ruling could force the big companies such as Comcast to adopt more inclusive rules given California’s own net neutrality laws. It would not work for Comcast to create a California edition so it would follow that they would apply California rules worldwide. (TechCrunch, October 1, 2019, by Devin Coldewey)

For other FAC coverage of the issue, click here, here and here.