States Fight Back Against FCC’s Orders to End Net Neutrality in April

February 22, 2018 National News, Tech
Ajit Pai at podium

On Thursday morning the Federal Communications Commission published their order in the Federal Register to repeal net neutrality, which is set to go into effect on April 23, 2018.

Now that the final rule has been published by the FCC, entities can begin to file legal challenges against the order. In response to the order, 22 state attorneys general and the District of Columbia refiled legal challenges in an attempt to block the repeal of net neutrality.

The states had filed previously petitions preserving their right to sue in January; however, they agreed to withdraw the petitions last Friday until the FCC’s official publication.

The multi-state lawsuit is led by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, and a petition was filed the same day the FCC published their order. States backing up New York in this battle include California, Oregon, North Carolina, Hawaii, and Minnesota.

According to the petition, the states find that the FCC order is, “arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion within the meaning of the Administrative Procedure Act.” The states also find that the order violates federal law, “including, but not limited to, the Constitution, the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and FCC regulations promulgated thereunder.”

The FCC voted last December 3-2 to overturn the 2015 rules that prevent internet service providers from blocking, slowing access to, or charging more for specific content on the internet.

The 22 attorneys general are not alone in the battle over net neutrality. Internet giants including Netflix, Kickstarter, and Amazon made it clear on Twitter that they disagreed with the FCC’s vote in December.

Even Burger King had something to say about the battle for net neutrality.

The publication triggers a 60-legislative-day deadline for Congress to vote on whether or not the FCC’s decision should be overturned. According to the leader of the coalition against the repeal of net neutrality, the battle has only just begun.

 

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Arianna is College Media Network's Weekend Editor and a student at Penn State University. She has written for various websites, including Thought Catalog and The Odyssey Online. Arianna also runs her own blog called Yoga With Mimosas in which she combines her passion for fitness and writing in hopes of inspiring and empowering others through her work.

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