No, the FCC is not killing the Internet

[Commentary] December’s Federal Communications Commission vote will simply return the Internet to the same regulatory framework that governed in 2015 and for the 20 years that preceded it. The Internet flourished under this approach, while consumers and innovators alike benefited from a free and open Internet. The FCC’s plan ensures that robust open Internet protections are in place. Here are just four of them:

First, the FCC’s decision will bring additional consumer protections to bear — ones we do not enjoy under the current regulatory regime.  Reversing the FCC’s Title II decision will return the Federal Trade Commission to its role as a steady cop on the beat and empower it to take enforcement action against any ISP that engages in unfair or deceptive practices — an important protection for Internet openness. Second, strong consumer privacy and data security protections will apply. Since the FCC’s Title II decision, the FTC — which is also the nation’s most experienced privacy enforcement agency — has been prohibited from taking any action regarding the privacy or data-security practices of ISPs. Consumers will benefit greatly from a return to these protections. Third, federal antitrust laws will apply. Fourth, state consumer-protection laws will continue to apply and state attorneys general can bring actions against ISPs.

The FCC’s Dec 14 vote will correct the agency’s two-year detour — and its subsequent harms to innovation and investment — while restoring the authority of the nation’s premier consumer-protection agency over ISPs and ensuring that Americans continue to benefit from a free and open Internet. I look forward to casting my vote in favor of this plan.