The debate over net neutrality in 2017 was rife with apocalyptic predictions about the Trump administration’s rollback of regulations. Democrats, including official accounts, and prominent figures like Sen. Bernie Sanders warned of the imminent death of the internet’s free exchange of information. Media outlets joined in with sensational headlines, painting a bleak picture of a post-net neutrality world.
Fast forward six years, and the reality doesn’t match the doomsday scenarios. Internet speeds have improved, and investments in broadband infrastructure have increased. Contrary to the predictions, there haven’t been instances of internet service providers throttling speeds or imposing fees on everyday online activities. Despite this, the Biden administration has opted to revive net neutrality regulations.
The recent decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reinstate net neutrality rules, split along party lines, has reignited the debate. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel argues that a national net neutrality policy is essential for consumer protection, public safety, and national security. On the other hand, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, representing the Republican perspective, sees this move as a government overreach and a needless expansion of regulatory powers.
Carr’s opposition is grounded in the principle that government intervention should be justified by real and pressing problems that cannot be addressed by the free market. He argues that net neutrality regulations, given the lack of tangible harms, represent an unjustifiable power grab by the government. The absence of concrete evidence of harm during the period without net neutrality rules further weakens the case for reinstating them.
The Biden administration’s persistence in reintroducing net neutrality regulations, despite evidence suggesting their lack of necessity, raises questions about its motives. Critics argue that this decision reflects a broader trend of seeking increased control and power, evident in other policy initiatives like attempts to regulate online content and intervene in various sectors of the economy. This pattern of power-seeking behavior, if unchecked, could have far-reaching consequences for individual freedoms and innovation in the digital realm.
