RIP net neutrality: Here’s what comes next (and it ain’t pretty)

“Just trust that the companies will tell us when they do something bad. If they do, we might be able to tell them not to do it any more.”

This is the spirit of how the internet will be regulated under new rules put forward by Federal Communications Chairman Ajit Pai. The rules, released on Wednesday, undo the strong net neutrality protections put in place under the Barack Obama administration—and then even go beyond that.

Here is how the internet would be regulated under Pai’s proposal:

• There would be no more rules against paid prioritization, blocking websites, or other similar activities. Internet providers would be able to do whatever they want. 

• If internet providers decide to do something like give preferential treatment to one company in exchange for cash, they would theoretically have to report that publicly, though there are major loopholes there.

• Once reported, the Federal Trade Commission would decide if these moves were “anticompetitive.” 

• If the FTC didn’t like what was happening, it could make suggestions to Congress or maybe bring a lawsuit.  Read more…

More about Net Neutrality, Ajit Pai, Business, and Politics