Net Neutrality Struck Down by Appeals Court: What It Means for the Open Internet

Net Neutrality Struck Down by Appeals Court: What It Means for the Open Internet

The fight for net neutrality has taken another significant blow. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lacks the authority to impose net neutrality rules on internet service providers (ISPs). This decision effectively dismantles the Biden administration's attempt to restore these regulations, which aim to prevent ISPs from discriminating against different types of internet traffic. The Court's Reasoning: The court's ruling hinges on the demise of Chevron deference, a legal doctrine that previously granted significant deference to agency interpretations of statutes. With Chevron no longer in effect, courts are now empowered to more aggressively scrutinize agency actions. The judges in this case focused on the plain meaning of the Communications Act, concluding that it does not grant the FCC the authority to classify ISPs as common carriers under Title II. This classification is crucial for enforcing net neutrality rules, …