The FCC Moves to Destroy the Open Internet by Overturning Net Neutrality Protections

Today, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai released the final order to repeal the net neutrality protections of the 2015 Open Internet Order. The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) remains committed to preserving a strong open internet and strongly opposes the Chairman’s proposal.

“This is a direct assault on the fundamental digital rights of Americans. In repealing these net neutrality protections, Chairman Pai is providing internet service providers with an explicit license to block, slow, or levy tolls on content, creating barriers to innovation and the spread of new ideas. It will allow internet services providers (ISPs) to leverage their monopoly at the expense of consumers and internet-based businesses. The result will be a more limited and expensive experience for all internet users and a more arduous and costly development process for small businesses,” said Ferras Vinh, CDT’s Open Internet Policy Counsel.

“Net neutrality protections simply preserve the environment that has allowed the internet to emerge as an engine for societal change and economic growth. These principles are built upon the idea that innovation is driven by users, coders, and engineers, not ISPs and telecom corporations. With the repeal of these protections, the internet will likely become a less open and less vibrant medium,” added Vinh.

CDT will continue to work on behalf of all internet users to persuade the FCC to reject the repeal of these fundamental protections.