The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on Thursday, December 14, 2017 to repeal Net Neutrality rules that were put in place in 2015 under the Obama administration. Instead of classifying internet service providers (ISPs) as "common carriers" under Title II, the FCC has voted 3-2 in favor of reclassifying ISPs as "information service" providers, as they were before 2015. Continue reading after the break to find out how this could affect you.
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After the repeal goes through (if it does), companies like AT&T, Charter, Comcast, and Version will be allowed to legally block or slow down access to certain website, and theoretically charge extra to access certain sites and services. The vote passed in favor under FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. The vote was split along party lines.
Apple and many other large companies have previously urged the FCC to reconsider this proposal. Those in favor of net neutrality believe that the reclassification of ISPs will eventually divide internet users into fast lanes and slow lanes.
Apple and many other large companies have previously urged the FCC to reconsider this proposal. Those in favor of net neutrality believe that the reclassification of ISPs will eventually divide internet users into fast lanes and slow lanes.
And Pai, before the vote was final, sought to swat away his critics. "Following today's vote," he began, "Americans will still be able to access the websites they want to visit. They will still be able to enjoy the services they want to enjoy. There will still be cops on the beat guarding a free and open internet. "
Apple said earlier this year that this ruling could "fundamentally alter the internet as we know it." The FCC received a record-breaking 22 million comments from the public, voicing their opinion on this controversial issue.