In a major victory for cable companies and telcos that raises concerns about the Federal Communications Commission's regulatory authority in the wake

U.S. Appeals Court Strikes Down FCC’s Net Neutrality Rules

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2025-01-02 20:30:05

In a major victory for cable companies and telcos that raises concerns about the Federal Communications Commission's regulatory authority in the wake of recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down the agency’s net neutrality rules.

The rules require broadband operators to treat all internet traffic equally and banned them from giving preferential treatment to some sites by speeding up or slowing down consumer access.

The FCC had implemented net neutrality rules under former President Barack Obama, which were then dropped during the Trump administration. Last April the FCC voted 3-2, along party lines, to reinstate the rules in its "Safeguarding and Securing the Open Internet Order.” Industry groups then sued the FCC to block their implementation.

The 6th Circuit justified its decision to strike down the rules in part by referring to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last June in Loper Bright Enters. v. Raimondo. That ruling rejected the longstanding Chevron doctrine giving regulatory agencies a fair amount of latitude in implementing their rules.