CASE Hails Court Ruling Upholding Less Government Regulation of the Internet

October 1, 2019

“A big win for consumers, and a big boost for greater digital innovation.”

(Arlington, Virginia) – Consumer Action for a Strong Economy, a non-partisan, non-profit consumer advocacy organization, hailed today’s ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upholding the FCC’s 2017 ‘Restoring Internet Freedom Order’ (RIFO) that repealed the Obama administration’s decision to put internet service providers under heavy-handed Title II federal regulations.

Said a statement released by CASE, “Today’s ruling is a big win for consumers, and a big boost for greater digital innovation for America. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai was absolutely heroic in untying the knot his predecessor wrapped around the internet. Under Title II, the internet was subject to costly, restrictive and unpredictable government burdens and regulations that led to the first decrease in our nation’s investment in broadband infrastructure and technology. This was the wrong policy that sent innovation in the wrong direction, leading to a slowing of consumer access, less commitment to building critical digital infrastructure, a reduction in services, and increased pressures for higher costs.

“Today’s ruling largely affirms that what has always worked best in expanding digital technology across America and consumers’ increasing access to higher speeds and greater products and services is limited intervention from Washington, and more market freedom that let’s technology take the path determined by the vision of innovators and the needs of consumers.

“To build on America’s position as the global leader in digital technology it is crucial that the internet and all of its attendant digital technologies remain outside the domain of heavy-handed government control. Today’s ruling is a big victory to ensuring that remains the case for the foreseeable future.”