Supreme Court Won’t Hear Net Neutrality Challenges - Do You Support Net Neutrality Protections?

What’s the story?

• The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a request by the Trump administration and the broadband industry to undo a lower-court ruling upholding Obama-era net neutrality rules.
• This action does not undo the Federal Communication Commission’s 2017 repeal of net neutrality protections, which allows internet providers (ISPs) to speed up – or slow down – access to apps and websites.
• But SCOTUS’ decision not to toss out the 2016 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit does leave in place a legal precedent “that could help net neutrality supporters in any future legal battle if that policy is ever re-introduced,” Reuters explained.

What did the Justices say?

• According to Monday’s SCOTUS announcement, Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch

"would grant the petitions, vacate the judgment of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit [which upheld the FCC's net neutrality order], and remand to that court with instructions to dismiss the cases as moot."

• Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh recused themselves from the case. Roberts owned stock in AT&T-owned Time Warner, while Kavanaugh was involved in the case while a judge on the DC Circuit appeals court.

What are both sides saying?

• Industry trade group USTelecom said it would “continue to support” the repeal “from challenges in Washington, D.C., and state capitals.”
• Consumer advocacy group Fight for the Future said today’s decision was a “good thing for Net Neutrality.”

What do you think?

Do you support state’s efforts challenging the net neutrality rollback? Are you voting based on net neutrality? Take action above, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman

(Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com / Tzogia Kappatou)