Beshear joins AGs in suit on FCC’s rollback of net neutrality


Action by FCC violates federal, state, local laws

Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear

Attorney General Andy Beshear has taken legal action against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its rollback of net neutrality regulations.

Beshear joins a coalition of state attorneys general in a legal fight to protect families from the harmful actions recently taken by the FCC.  

“I’m opposing the repeal of net neutrality because of the destructive nature it will have on every Kentuckian from farmers to college students who use free and open internet to thrive and prosper,” Beshear said. “As a state and as a nation, we cannot turn our backs on the hard working people of this country by letting the federal government walk all over them and take away their level playing field.”

Beshear and the coalition today filed a petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, formally commencing the lawsuit against the FCC and the federal government. The group maintains the FCC’s recent action violates the federal Administrative Procedure Act and numerous state and local laws. 

The FCC voted to rollback net neutrality regulations Dec. 14, and made its final rule public Jan. 4. The rule would take effect upon approval by the federal Office of Management and Budget and 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.

Beshear and the group of attorneys general are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals to not let this happen and return to previous established net neutrality protections. 

What is Net Neutrality?

Net Neutrality is the internet’s guiding principle: It preserves our right to communicate freely online. Net Neutrality means an internet that enables and protects free speech. It means that ISPs should provide us with open networks — and shouldn’t block or discriminate against any applications or content that ride over those networks. Just as your phone company shouldn’t decide who you call and what you say on that call, your ISP shouldn’t interfere with the content you view or post online.

The internet without Net Neutrality isn’t really the internet.

Read more about Net Neutrality at https://www.savetheinternet.com/net-neutrality-what-you-need-know-now

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