The FCC says net neutrality would be a boon for national security. Some disagree.

When Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel unveiled plans to restore net neutrality, she said reinstating the rule would “give the FCC and its national security partners the tools needed to defend our networks from potential security threats.” The rule—which gives the agency broad powers to regulate internet service as a utility, akin to water or electricity—hasn’t historically been invoked for cybersecurity purposes. But Chairwoman Rosenworcel argued that net neutrality would permit the FCC to expand its powers beyond telecommunications services to tackle broadband service providers deemed security risks. Some cybersecurity policy and legal experts challenged that rationale. They say the FCC has already done significant work to keep potential cyberthreats off US networks, and that net neutrality wouldn’t give them much more runway to handle national security matters. Further still, some say the FCC is using fear of national security threats from China and Russia to spur policymakers’ support for the contested broadband item.