Earlier this week, a federal appeals court upheld the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality. As strong believers of a free and open internet, Voqal has been closely following this case as it has developed. While the final outcome is disappointing, advocates for net neutrality did experience at least one critical victory.
The court struck down a key provision of the repeal blocking individual states from passing their own net neutrality protections. This is great news for net neutrality, as it now means states can pass laws and regulations that protect a free and open internet.
In fact, several states already have net neutrality rules or regulations on the books. Perhaps the most notable of which is the California Internet Consumer Protection and Net Neutrality Act of 2018. While enforcement of the law had been put on hold in light of the FCC’s net neutrality rules, this court case paves the way for its full implementation.
Furthermore, many net neutrality advocates are dedicated to addressing this issue through legislative means.
For example, according to a statement from Free Press Vice President of Policy and General Counsel, Matt Wood,
“…the court’s decision underscores the pressing need for the Senate to pass the Save the Internet Act that the House adopted in April. It opens the door for a future FCC to go back to the right rules, and for states to fill the vacuum with state-based Net Neutrality laws.”
Voqal is proud to support Free Press, Fight for the Future, Media Justice and the many other organizations that are at the forefront of the fight to preserve a free and open internet. We look forward to their continued efforts as they work in states across the country to pass important net neutrality protections.
You can learn more about the fight to save net neutrality at battleforthenet.com.