There may be hope yet for net neutrality.
As made famous by Twitter and viral comments, net neutrality was repealed by the FCC in December of last year. Net neutrality is the system that keeps internet companies from charging you more for the use of certain sites. It keeps internet speeds equal across the board. It essentially limits the way the “free market” functions within the world of the internet. Advocates of the repeal state this as a strong motivation. Dissenters argue that the free market just doesn’t function the same way with something as different and novel as the internet.
The removal of net neutrality hasn’t actually taken effect yet, but several groups are ramping up their attacks already. Democrats in the senate claim to have 50 supporters for a repeal of the FCC ruling—just one vote shy of a majority. 21 states have filed petitions claiming that the FCC acted arbitrarily and abused their discretion. Other internet advocacy groups and internet companies have filed similar petitions.
Usually, these kinds of petitions are not filed until the rules under a new change have taken effect, so this was quite a move on behalf of the states. These states aren’t going to waste any time waiting around before making their move.
Net neutrality may have some benefits, but the overwhelming majority of the younger generation especially was firmly opposed. Without a doubt, it will likely change the way the internet operates once the new regulations (or lack thereof) take effect. These states are holding their breath and keeping their fingers crossed that we never have to see what that might be like.
