So long, equitable internet

The US Supreme Court just overturned Chevron v. The Natural Resources Defense Council, a 40 year old precedent for how government works. This is big news for anyone interested in the way technology (and Big Tech) shape public policy, and vice versa. Why does Chevron matter? As ordained by our political system, Congress is supposed to set rules and regulations that protect our rights. In today’s world, no elected representative can be an expert on every topic where they are called to make a decision. That leads to the assumption in Chevron: where the laws enacted by Congress do not provide enough detail for specific regulatory decisions, agencies are empowered to clarify. Federal employees (and local public servants) provide critical subject expertise, which enables the law to be interpreted and implemented. So the question is, who will protect us now? Apparently not our government agencies, the only ones with any sort of rein on large corporations. Yet again, the public turns to libraries.