Federal net neutrality is officially dead
![Net Neutrality Protest.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i3CKhCC9qz6TxAmdLByiKe-415-80.jpg)
Internet providers got what they wanted.
A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that the Federal Communications Commission didn't break the law when it ended Obama-era net neutrality rules in 2017. But the ruling still leaves a bit of hope for net neutrality advocates, The Washington Post reports.
Washington, D.C.'s appeals court ruled 2-1 against a group of state attorneys general that FCC Chair Ajit Pai, appointed by President Trump, largely followed the law when rolling back the rules that allowed internet providers to deliberately slow service to certain sites, so long as they told customers when they were doing so. Pai had argued that the rules would stifle investment into telecom technologies, and the court ruled that opponents had provided "unconvincing" arguments to the contrary. Still, the judges did strike down Pai's attempt to stop states from enacting net neutrality rules of their own.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Net neutrality refers to a larger set of rules that prohibited internet providers from deliberately slowing down service to websites that don't pay a premium for faster performance. Proponents of the rules would rather not see massive internet providers as gatekeepers to certain kinds of content and certain high-paying brands, though even big-name sites such as Google and Facebook back the internet protections. Opponents meanwhile say net neutrality snuffs out competition and investment.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
'The journalistic mission to follow the facts and deliver the truth must persist'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - September 5, 2024
Cartoons Thursday's cartoons - weird creatures, McConsequences, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
By The Week UK Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published