Court Decision Signals End to Net Neutrality Prospects as Regulations Shift

A recent ruling by a US court has dealt a significant blow to net neutrality proponents by rejecting the Biden administration’s efforts to reinstate regulations on internet providers, likening them to utilities. This decision effectively ends a protracted legal struggle over net neutrality, which aimed to ensure equal treatment of all legal internet content by major providers like AT&T. The framework for these regulations was first established under President Obama’s administration but overturned during President Trump’s term. The court’s decision highlights a trend where different administrations reverse net neutrality policies, leaving the future of internet regulation uncertain.

The judges emphasized that recent Supreme Court rulings diminish the powers of federal agencies like the FCC to interpret laws, pointing out that the court no longer feels obliged to defer to the FCC’s views. Brendan Carr, an FCC commissioner appointed by Trump, commended the ruling as a blow to what he called the Biden administration’s overreach in internet control. In contrast, departing Democratic commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel urged Congress to step in and establish robust net neutrality protections in light of the ruling.

With public demand for a fair and fast internet, the issue of net neutrality, once heated and trending—particularly after comedian John Oliver’s viral plea in favor of it—has dwindled in urgency since the repeal of the rules in 2018. While some states have begun implementing their own net neutrality laws, advocates argue that national regulations remain essential to protect consumers from potential abuses by internet providers, such as throttling services or imposing fees for faster access. Advocacy group Public Knowledge criticized the ruling for potentially opening regulatory gaps that could harm consumers, while industry representatives like USTelecom claimed the decision represents a positive move towards increased investment and innovation in the broadband market.