FCC seeks comments on changes to net neutrality, website crashes

On April 27, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would impact net neutrality in the U.S.. The Restoring Internet Freedom act, which will be voted on at the May 18 FCC meeting, would end the utility-style regulatory approach intended to preserve net neutrality. Pai’s office contends that the FCC 2015 decision to subject internet service providers (ISPs) to Title II utility style regulations reduces the incentive for innovation in the industry and threatens the open Internet it is purported to preserve. The NPRM highlights several changes including reinstating the information service classification of broadband Internet access service and “returning to the light-touch regulatory framework.” In 2015, the FCC contended that subjecting ISPs to Title II utility style regulation was necessary to protect consumers from unfair business practices such as ISPs blocking or degrading internet traffic. 

As with all NPRMs, the FCC will hold a 60-day open comment period for the public to address the entire proposal as well as specific elements of the changes. Shortly after TV talk show host John Oliver challenged individuals to flood the comment section, the FCC’s website crashed due to overactivity. The FCC claims that the crash was a result of a hacker attack that included “deliberate attempts by external actors to bombard the FCC’s comment system with a high amount of traffic” without the intent of filling comments. While the FCC does not blame John Oliver’s actions for the hack, the segment has driven traffic and comments to the site with nearly 600,000 comments already posted. Comments are due June 26.  Visit the FCC website to submit a comment (or read existing comments).