Net neutrality setback

last updated 8 January 2015

A federal appeals court has sharply limited the Federal Communications Commission’s ability to regulate Internet traffic, throwing a wrench into the Obama administration’s bid to mandate so-called Net neutrality. The court found that under current law, the FCC can’t bar Comcast from slowing customers’ access to BitTorrent, a service for sharing large data files.

The FCC wants to compel Internet providers to give all Web users equal access to content, even if some content clogs providers’ networks. The ruling could force the administration to seek changes in the law that defines the FCC’s reach. Such changes would face opposition from conservatives.