Sixth Circuit Strikes Down FCC's Net Neutrality Rules, Citing Lack of Statutory Authority

Jan 2, 2025, 05:17 PM

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has struck down the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) net neutrality rules, ruling that the agency lacked the statutory authority to impose them. The decision, which came on January 2, 2025, effectively voids the FCC's order that sought to reinstate net neutrality regulations. The court's three-judge panel determined that broadband internet service providers offer an 'information service' rather than a 'telecommunications service,' thus falling outside the FCC's regulatory purview under Title II of the Communications Act. This ruling represents a significant setback for the Biden administration's efforts to enforce net neutrality, as the court found the FCC's actions to be inconsistent with the statutory text of the Telecommunications Act.