The FCC’s net neutrality regulations will affect internet service providers, including AT&T, Comcast and Verizon|SLOWKING|CC BY-NC 3.0
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted 3-2 on Thursday to adopt net neutrality regulations, aiming to prevent internet service providers like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon from selectively blocking, increasing, or slowing down users’ web traffic.
The move comes after FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced plans to reinstate net neutrality last year.
Apart from ensuring fairness in showing web content for all, the FCC also mandates broadband services to
- Not sell sensitive US consumer information like location data and more.
- Protect Americans from internet services controlled by foreign entities.
- Collect outage data and support First Responders during emergencies.
All the net neutrality rules are similar to what was initiated by the FCC in 2015 under President Barack Obama. But they were taken down in 2017, during Donald Trump’s presidency. The upcoming presidential elections will determine if the rules are here to stay.
Net neutrality rules will go into effect 60 days after their publication in the Federal Register. Legal challenges from broadband providers are expected.