{"slug":"trump-net-neutrality-repeal-fcc","title":"Net Neutrality Repeal: FCC Eliminates Open Internet Rules Over Widespread Opposition","date":"2017-12-14","lastUpdated":"2018-06-11","description":"On December 14, 2017, the FCC voted 3-2 along party lines to repeal the Obama-era net neutrality rules that had classified broadband as a telecommunications service and prohibited internet service providers from blocking, throttling, or creating paid fast lanes for internet traffic. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, a former Verizon attorney, led the repeal. The decision was opposed by 83% of Americans in polls, generated a record number of FCC public comments (many later found to be fake), and was subsequently reinstated by the Biden FCC in 2024.","summary":"Net neutrality rules required internet service providers to treat all internet traffic equally — not to slow down or block Netflix while favoring their own streaming service, or charge websites for premium delivery. The repeal allowed ISPs to create tiered access to the internet. The FCC's public comment process was flooded with millions of fake comments submitted using stolen identities; the New York attorney general investigated. Pai's arguments that the repeal would increase broadband investment were contradicted by ISPs' own earnings statements and CEO comments to investors.","category":"federal-dismantlement","severity":"major","ongoing":false,"sources":[{"url":"https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/14/technology/net-neutrality-repeal-vote.html","title":"F.C.C. Repeals Net Neutrality Rules","publisher":"The New York Times"},{"url":"https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2017/12/14/fcc-repeals-net-neutrality/","title":"FCC votes to repeal net neutrality rules","publisher":"The Washington Post"},{"url":"https://apnews.com/article/fcc-net-neutrality-repeal-pai","title":"FCC repeals net neutrality protections","publisher":"The Associated Press"}],"draft":false,"status":"published","tags":["net-neutrality","FCC","internet","first-term","federal-dismantlement","Pai"],"relatedEntries":[],"timeline":[{"date":"2015-02-26","title":"FCC enacts net neutrality rules under Obama","summary":"The Obama FCC votes 3-2 to classify broadband as a Title II telecommunications service and enact net neutrality rules prohibiting blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization."},{"date":"2017-01-23","title":"Pai appointed FCC Chairman","summary":"Trump appoints Ajit Pai — former Verizon attorney — as FCC Chairman. Pai announces plans to repeal the 2015 net neutrality rules."},{"date":"2017-12-14","title":"FCC votes 3-2 to repeal net neutrality","summary":"The FCC votes 3-2 along party lines to repeal net neutrality rules, reclassifying broadband as an information service and removing the FCC's authority to prohibit ISP discrimination."},{"date":"2018-06-11","title":"Repeal takes effect","summary":"The net neutrality repeal takes effect. States begin enacting their own net neutrality rules. The repeal is challenged in federal court."}],"location":{"name":"Washington, D.C.","lat":38.9072,"lng":-77.0369},"custom":{"era":"first-term","posture":"reported","warCrimeClassification":"enabling","internationalLaw":[],"iccRelevance":false,"victims":"Internet users whose access to information could be throttled or blocked by ISPs; small businesses and content creators competing with ISP-affiliated services; public discourse dependent on the internet","structuredPerpetrators":[{"name":"Donald Trump","role":"President; appointed FCC Chairman Pai; administration supported the repeal","institution":"White House"},{"name":"Ajit Pai","role":"FCC Chairman; former Verizon attorney; led the 3-2 party-line repeal vote","institution":"Federal Communications Commission"}],"updateLog":[{"date":"2018-06-11","summary":"Updated when repeal took effect."}]}}