European Parliament rejects amendments protecting net neutrality

The European Union has rejected legal amendments that would firmly protect the concept of network neutrality in Europe. The European Parliament voted in favor of new regulations which proponents say establish an Internet "without discrimination," but advocates for net neutrality say the laws contain a number of loopholes which could lead to the creation of a tiered Internet service. The legislation also includes an end to roaming charges in Europe, although some critics say those laws are also less robust than they appear. The new legislation allows the creation of Internet fast lanes for "specialized services" and lets Internet service providers (ISPs) offer so-called "zero-rating" products -- i.e. apps and services that don't count toward monthly data allowances -- without restrictions.

Critics of the legislation say that the latter loophole will allow big Internet companies to favor certain services in commercial deals. Critics of the legislation have noted that fatigue among legislators and keenness to end roaming charges may have contributed to its largely unchallenged adoption. Now that the legislation has been approved by the European Parliament, the Body of European Regulators has nine months to pass on guidelines to individual nations.