Biden Announces Return of Net Neutrality Regulations

On April 8, 2021, President Joe Biden, typically known for restoring the Obama-era policies, surprised the nation with an unexpected move. After a meeting at the White House, he announced that his administration would revive the Obama-era net neutrality rules, which were reversed under his predecessor’s administration.

The Return of Net Neutrality

“Net neutrality is vital for an open and fair internet,” Biden declared, “We will ensure the internet remains the world’s most vibrant marketplace of ideas, always open and accessible to everyone, regardless of their economic standing.”

Net neutrality rules prevented internet service providers from privileging certain types of content or throttling others, a policy lauded by consumer advocates but decried by telecommunications companies. Oversight of these rules had previously fallen under the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which, under Trump, successfully rolled them back in 2017.

Response from Political Figures

The announcement was quickly met with criticism from several republican figures. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a longtime opponent of net neutrality, voiced his concerns. He inaccurately stated, “Net neutrality will limit the freedom of internet users and stunt innovation.”

Though reviving net neutrality is a popular option among democrats, there’s one, perhaps insurmountable, issue: Biden’s decision on April 8 never happened. Despite the impression of this article, the Biden administration has not officially announced any move to reinstate these regulations. However, his administration is expected to make decisions about net neutrality later during his tenure.

* None of the quotes in this article were spoken by an actual person. More info.