FCC Chairman Deletes Net Neutrality Rules

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has spearheaded the deletion of net neutrality rules as part of a broader initiative to streamline and reduce the agency’s regulatory framework. 

The eliminated rules, which had not yet taken effect, aimed to reclassify broadband internet service providers as common carriers under Title II of the Communications Act. This reclassification would have subjected internet providers to stricter oversight, ensuring equal treatment of all internet traffic and prohibiting practices like throttling or paid prioritization.

The decision follows a federal appeals court ruling that had already struck down these net neutrality protections, rendering them legally unenforceable. Despite this, the rules remained in the FCC’s records until their formal removal. Advocates for net neutrality, however, retain the option to escalate the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court for further review, potentially reigniting the long-standing debate over internet regulation.

Matt Wood, General Counsel for Free Press, a prominent net neutrality advocacy group, sharply criticized the FCC’s action. He described the deletion as a “premature housekeeping step” executed without prior notice or public consultation. Wood argued that the move serves to “score points with broadband monopolies and their lobbyists,” accusing the FCC of prioritizing the interests of large internet service providers over consumers and smaller competitors. He emphasized that the abrupt removal undermines the transparency and due process typically expected in regulatory changes.

The decision reflects ongoing tensions between deregulation proponents, who argue that excessive oversight stifles innovation and burdens providers, and net neutrality advocates, who contend that such rules are essential to maintaining an open and equitable internet. By removing these rules, the FCC under Carr’s leadership signals a continued shift toward a lighter regulatory touch, aligning with broader efforts to reduce the agency’s footprint in telecommunications policy.

The development is likely to spark renewed debate over the future of internet governance, particularly as stakeholders assess the implications for competition, consumer protections, and access to digital services. While the rules’ prior invalidation by the appeals court limits immediate practical impacts, the FCC’s action could influence future regulatory approaches and shape the legal landscape pending any Supreme Court challenge.