US: Court upholds net neutrality repeal

Net neutrality laws could return at the state level after a US court ruled on Tuesday (October 1) that the Trump administration cannot block states from passing their own net neutrality laws, but largely upheld the 2017 repeal of landmark rules barring internet service providers from blocking or throttling traffic, or offering paid fast lanes.

The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia said the Federal Communications Commission erred when it declared that states cannot pass their own net neutrality laws and ordered the agency to review some key aspects of its 2017 repeal of rules set by the Obama administration. But it left open the possibility the FCC could seek to block state efforts on a case-by-case basis. 

The court also found that the FCC acted properly when it overturned a 2015 decision that had classified broadband internet as a utility-style service that handed the FCC sweeping authority to regulate it and instead classified it as less regulated information service.

But the court also found the agency “failed to examine the implications of its decisions for public safety” and must also review how its decision will impact a government subsidy program for low-income users.

Full Content: Reuters, New York Times

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