FCC's net neutrality ruling gets pushback from big tech's lobbying group
The net neutrality fight rages on, and now tech's big lobbying group is signing on.
The Internet Association — a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying group that represents Google, Facebook, Netflix, Uber, and dozens of other tech companies on public policy issues — filed a motion to intervene against the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling on net neutrality.
“The internet industry will continue to fight for net neutrality protections that help consumers, foster innovation, and promote competition for the entire online ecosystem,” Internet Association President and CEO Michael Beckerman said in a statement.
“The entire sector is committed to preserving an open internet and will continue to defend these protections in every venue available," he added. "This is also an issue that unites Republicans and Democrats in all 50 states."
The FCC narrowly voted in December to eliminate net neutrality, which allows for internet providers to charge companies and consumers different rates for faster internet access. But tech companies and states have been fighting back. Now, the Internet Association's motion backs filings by its member organizations.
The lobbying group's policy points within their motion are fighting against:
Increasingly difficult access to the internet
Companies' decreased ability to reach customers across U.S.
Damage to future "growth and investment" opportunities in the internet industry
Here's the full motion:
Topics Facebook Net Neutrality Netflix Uber Politics
Kerry Flynn is a business reporter for Mashable covering the tech industry. She previously reported on social media companies, mobile apps and startups for International Business Times. She has also written for The Huffington Post, Forbes and Money magazine. Kerry studied environmental science and economics at Harvard College, where she led The Harvard Crimson's metro news and design teams and played mellophone in the Band. When not listening to startup pitches, she runs half-marathons, plays with puppies and pretends to like craft beer.
