OTI Applauds FCC Effort to Restore its Authority to Protect the Open Internet

The Open Technology Institute (OTI), one of New America’s Technology and Democracy Programs, welcomes reports that Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will announce the opening of a proceeding to restore the agency’s authority to regulate internet service providers. This reclassification would again give the FCC the power to hold broadband providers accountable for protecting consumers and ensuring that the internet remains open to all voices.

The following quote can be attributed to Lilian Coral, Vice President of Technology and Democracy Programs at New America and Head of OTI:

“Internet users should decide where they go and what they do online, not their internet service providers. ⁠Just as we expect our telephones to connect us to any phone number without interference or prejudice by a third party, we expect the same from the internet. Restoring the FCC’s Title II authority to regulate internet service providers gives open internet principles the protection of law.

“Net neutrality is one of the fundamental principles of the open internet. It means that Americans can access and share content, connect with their communities, and fully participate in our increasingly online economy without the threat of interference by their internet providers. This is especially important for marginalized and underserved communities.

“More broadly, reinstated Title II authority would allow the FCC to hold ISPs more accountable to the public — whether first responders who depend on reliable communication to coordinate life-saving activities, consumers who are concerned about the collection and sale of their geolocation data, or the public at large which deserves the right to access all content on a level playing field. Recent experiences have underscored how deeply all Americans depend on internet access, and it is more important than ever that our technological infrastructure serves the public interest equitably. We look forward to working with the FCC in the coming months on this critical effort.”