Government rules for the internet have been debated for nearly as long as the internet has existed, even before a professor coined the term “net neutrality” 15 years ago.
The internet has changed our lives and grown beyond what anyone could have imagined. And it’s done so, for the most part, with very few—but often changing—rules. Regulators under four different presidents have taken four different approaches. Courts have overturned regulatory decisions. Regulators have reversed their predecessors. And because the internet is so critical to everyone, it’s understandably confusing and a bit concerning when you hear the rules have recently changed, yet again.
It is time for Congress to end the debate once and for all, by writing new laws that govern the internet and protect consumers.
money.cnn.com/2018/01/24/technology/business/att-net-neutrality/index.html
AT&T wants Congress to draft a net neutrality law. Here’s why that’s a big deal.
…
The prospect of having to comply with perhaps dozens of state-level net neutrality rules is a nightmare for Internet providers. Although the FCC has said it will take states to court if they seek to circumvent its decision, companies such as AT&T want a guarantee of stability.
“Congressional action is needed to establish an ‘Internet Bill of Rights’ that applies to all internet companies and guarantees neutrality, transparency, openness, non-discrimination and privacy protection for all internet users,” Stephenson wrote in the ad.
www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/01/24/att-is-pushing-for-a-net-neutrality-law-that-covers-isps-and-tech-companies-too/?utm_term=.70af8104a3d1
Congressional watchdog to investigate fraud during net neutrality rule making
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) says it will investigate the possibility of fraud and identity theft during the FCC’s net neutrality rule making process. In a letter written to Representative Frank Pallone Jr., the GAO said it would review the “extent and pervasiveness of fraud and the misuse of American identities” during the process, in about five months’ time.
The letter from GAO is dated January 9th and was tweeted by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce yesterday. In December, members of congress including Pallone Jr., Gregory Meeks, Elijah Cummings, and six other Democrats sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office requesting the investigation. “We understand that the FCC’s rulemaking process requires it to address all comments it receives, regardless of who submits them,” the members wrote at the time. “However, we do not believe any outside parties should be permitted to generate any comments to any federal governmental entity using information it knows to be false, such as the identities of those submitting the comments.”
NEWS: GAO has accepted 10 Democrats’ request for an investigation of the pervasiveness of fraudulent comments made during a federal rule making process. pic.twitter.com/fVlBIxBAVG
— Energy & Commerce Dems (@EnergyCommerce) January 23, 2018
www.theverge.com/2018/1/24/16926952/fcc-net-neutrality-false-identities-comments
h/t Cartel