The lobbying group that represents the nation’s biggest tech companies — including Amazon, Google, and Microsoft — will play a critical role in the fight to restore net neutrality protections.
Last month, the Federal Communications Commission repealed regulations that required internet providers to deliver all lawful traffic at the same speed, prohibiting throttling or prioritization of some content. The move ignited protests from open internet advocates, the tech industry, and lawmakers. On Friday, the lobbying group, Internet Association, announced plans to “act as an intervenor in judicial action against this order.”
IA won’t file its own lawsuit but will instead support other legal challenges. Several state attorneys general across the country, including Washington’s Bob Ferguson, announced plans to sue shortly after the FCC’s vote. Online marketplace Etsy told Recode it plans to file a lawsuit as well.
“This rule defies the will of a bipartisan majority of Americans and fails to preserve a free and open internet,” IA CEO Michael Beckerman said in a statement. “IA intends to act as an intervenor in judicial action against this order and, along with our member companies, will continue our push to restore strong, enforceable net neutrality protections through a legislative solution.”
