What is Net Neutrality?
Net Neutrality keeps the internet free and open — enabling anyone to share and access information of their choosing without interference from companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon. During periods where the United States lacked strong rules protecting the open internet, many of these providers violated Net Neutrality.
Net Neutrality is essential to everything we need in our democracy — from educational and economic opportunities to political organizing and dissent.
Net Neutrality is built on the sound legal notion that broadband access must be classified under Title II of the Communications Act, which gives the Federal Communications Commission the comprehensive authority it needs to hold these powerful phone and cable companies accountable.
The History of Net Neutrality
On April 25, 2024, the Biden FCC reinstated the Net Neutrality rules the Trump agency repealed and restored its Title II authority. This is a huge victory for the public interest. The agency now has the ability to protect the free and open internet — and to protect internet users from ISPs’ privacy invasions, promote broadband competition and deployment, and take action against hidden junk fees, data caps and billing rip-offs.
Unfortunately, a federal appeals court sided with industry groups that had sued to repeal the Net Neutrality rules and overturn the agency’s Title II authority. Free Press will do everything it can to channel the outrage over this appalling decision into the long-term changes we need to keep the internet safe, reliable, accessible, affordable and free from unlawful discrimination.
