Massachusetts Senate passes net neutrality transparency bill

The Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed a bill that would require internet service providers to provide more transparency related to net neutrality and consumer privacy. The bill would create a registry of internet service providers that would make public their practices with regard to "broadband internet access service quality and network management." The registry would grade internet service providers on net neutrality and consumer privacy, and the companies would have to tell customers those grades before entering into an agreement for service. The bill would establish a "preference" in state agency contracts for using internet service providers that practice net neutrality. But lawmakers rejected on a voice vote an amendment by State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Action) that would have actually imposed state-level net neutrality. "Without net neutrality laws, nothing will prevent giant internet service providers from blocking or slowing down content of competitors," Sen Eldridge said. "We shouldn't wait until the telecom industry becomes an oligarchy to take action."