More Tech Companies Join the Fight Against FCC Net Neutrality Repeal

I find the whole net neutrality issue playing out in a really interesting (and amusing) way.  The big push for this was to help the American people.  By rolling back the net neutrality rules, it was going to give people the option to make their own decisions when it comes to the internet.  But as more and more states and even tech companies that are in opposition to the repeal, it makes me wonder who this will actually benefit.  Sorry – when I say, it makes me wonder, it doesn’t.  I think it’s obvious who is going to benefit from the repeal.

Now, six more tech companies have filed a lawsuit against the FCC.  Joining the battle is – Etsy, Kickstarter, Foursquare, Shutterstock, Automattic, and Expa have petitioned the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit as part of a group called the Coalition for Internet Openness.  The group’s goal is to stop the FCC from overturning the rules that ensure a free and open internet.  Marc Ellenbogen, Foursquare’s Chief Compliance Officer, and General Counsel had this to say:

“We believe that everyone has the right to access information on places, spaces, and people and that business leaders and brands need to be able to interpret trends and patterns as they truly exist.”

This is what I’m saying – it’s not the evil tech giants who want net neutrality repeals.  It’s the evil service providers who are benefiting from collecting more money from the people that they provide the service to.  But this is just the latest group of tech companies to attempt to fight the FCC.  Earlier this year, internet giants like Facebook, Amazon, Google, Netflix, and Twitter all sued the FCC as part of the Internet Association lobbying group.  And as I alluded to before, this is in addition to 23 attorney generals who are also fighting the FCC on the repeal.  The Senate is working on a resolution to undo the FCC’s vote as well.

The problem with the latter option is that Trump can veto any kind of resolution that is put forward.  And he will.  I mean, why wouldn’t he?  The repeal will directly benefit his friends.  Or should I say “friends”?  But will that really make a difference?  I guess it will show the world what his true motives are.  Even if there are people out there who won’t want to hear this message.

I am hopeful that this will be successful.  In whatever way it happens.  I do think that the support from the tech industry is going to have a huge impact on how this plays out in the Senate, and hopefully in how it appears to Trump.  I mean, if Amazon is saying that they don’t support the repeal, what ground does the FCC have in this fight?  Like I’ve said before and will continue saying – the only people that the repeal benefits are those who are providing the internet service to the people.