In December, the Republican-controlled Federal Communications Commission (FCC) repealed net neutrality rules that ensured that all internet traffic be treated equal. During the Obama years, the FCC classified the internet as a “Title II common carrier,” mandating that the internet be treated as a public utility and be provided to the public without discrimination. With the repeal of the “Title II” classification, your internet service provider (ISP) could now slow down or charge you more to access certain websites.
CAN STATES AND MUNICIPALITIES DO ANYTHING TO PROTECT NET NEUTRALITY?
The short answer is yes and no. The FCC has tried their hardest to make states powerless to protect net neutrality but there are still a few avenues for action.
STATES CAN SUE THE FCC.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman had encouraged the FCC to delay their vote after discovering that 2 million identities were stolen for fake comments submitted during the FCC’s public comment period. The FCC refused to cooperate so AG Schneiderman announced a multi-state lawsuit against the FCC ruling on the grounds of the public comment period being corrupted.
22 states have already signed on to this lawsuit: New York, California, Virginia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and DC.
Call your state attorney general and ask them to join the lawsuit against the FCC ruling if they have not already.
Mike DeWine 614-466-4986
Or use this form to submit a comment online.
Sample call script:
Caller: Hello! My name is [NAME] and I’m calling from [ADDRESS]. I’m calling to ask Attorney General DeWine to join the multi-state lawsuit against the FCC repeal of net neutrality.
Staffer: The attorney general does not believe there is a legal case to be made against the FCC ruling.
Caller: New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman believes there is a case to be made due to the flood of fake comments to the FCC website during the comment period. 22 other states have already joined the case. A free and open internet is important for all Americans. I urge AG DeWine to reconsider and join the case.
Staffer: I’ll pass along your thoughts.
Caller: Yes, please do. I strongly support net neutrality and I expect AG DeWine to do the same. Please take down my contact information so you can let me know if the AG changes his/her mind.
Thanks to Indivisible for Today’s Action.