Wired: FCC Plans to Gut Net Neutrality, Allow Internet “Fast Lanes”

The US Federal Communications Commission has published its plans to reverse net neutrality rules that ban blocking or slowing certain internet content. Proponents describe the action as “fast lanes” and ending government “micromanaging.” In truth, corporations and anyone willing to pay will have unhindered internet service, while small startups and organizations could struggle for notice or even be censored. Major internet providers could prioritize their own content or block popular and free messaging and other services. “The new FCC order will throw out almost all of the agency's 2015 net-neutrality rules, including the prohibitions on blocking and throttling content, senior FCC staff said,” reports Klint Finley for Wired. “The order will also ban states from imposing their own net-neutrality rules to replace the federal regulations.” Internet service would likely cost more, and policies would be less transparent. The FCC votes on the new rules December 14, and opponents are rallying and may have a case, with Finley concluding, “The Administrative Procedure Act bars federal agencies from making ‘arbitrary and capricious’ decisions, in part to prevent federal regulations from yo-yoing every time a new administration is in court.” – YaleGlobal