What Happens Next with Net Neutrality?

On December 14, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 to dismantle the agency’s 2015 net neutrality rules. As a long-standing champion of net neutrality and one of the two FCC Commissioners who vociferously objected to the decision, Commissioner Clyburn believes it is important for consumers and small businesses to understand what happens next.

What protections will I lose online as a result of the FCC majority’s repeal of net neutrality? Once the FCC’s net neutrality repeal action goes into effect, broadband providers will be allowed to:

• Block lawful content.
• Throttle (slow down) lawful content.
• Engage in paid prioritization (i.e. favor content of companies who can afford to pay).
• Unreasonably interfere with the ability of consumers and content providers to reach one another.
• Engage in unreasonable interconnection practices

What does net neutrality’s repeal mean for my freedom on the internet?

• It means that your broadband provider is in control of your online experience. You will have fewer protections online.
• This does not mean you will immediately see anti-consumer practices, but as the outrage and awareness fade, you will likely see providers roll out plans and features that are inconsistent with net neutrality.