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Internet users concerned with consumer privacy and the broadband industry should understand what common carrier net neutrality means. Under net neutrality rules, internet service providers (ISPs) must provide equal broadband internet access to everyone in the online marketplace. US net neutrality regulations ended in 2018, along with the Title 2 classification of broadband providers. If you’re curious about America’s current net neutrality rules, stick around to learn what is Title 2 net neutrality.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Once you’ve finished here, we also recommend reading up on the issues with net neutrality, why some consider net neutrality bad, what consumer privacy means, and the difference between sensitive and personal data.
Insider Tip
Use a VPN to prevent your ISP from throttling and tracking your internet traffic.
The Communications Act of 1934 created the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and organized the federal regulation of telecommunications services and radio. Title II of the 1934 law allows the FCC to regulate these companies as common carriers, meaning telecom companies must provide equal access to their networks. Additionally, Title II common carrier service providers are an essential service that cannot block lawful content or discriminate against users.
The FCC adopted net neutrality in 2015 and categorized ISPs as common carriers. Under the 2015 rules, the FCC could perform enforcement actions against ISPs that engage in anti-competitive and anti-consumer practices. Additionally, the regulations prevented business practices like paid prioritization and blocking application-specific behavior.
In 2017, the FCC repealed the Obama-era network neutrality regulations and placed internet cable companies back under a Title I classification. This deregulation ended the FCC’s authority over broadband providers.
Advocates of strict rules claim the reclassification of broadband providers is necessary for adequate net neutrality protections. Under the Title II classification of broadband networks, ISPs could not block content channels or engage in abusive practices like paid fast lanes.
Warning
Consumer broadband services can throttle congestion-sensitive content like large file downloads or gaming online.
Fans of limited regulations see common carrier rules as unfair actions against broadband service providers. They view Title II regulations as bad news for consumers and broadband infrastructure. ISPs have little reason to invest in or upgrade broadband services without a path to further financial benefits.
STAT: Six percent of Americans in a 2019 Pew Research Center survey reported feeling that their data is more vulnerable today than in the past. (source)
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