Skip to main content

Net neutrality ends on April 23, allowing ISPs to block & throttle content from that date

Following the Trump administration’s decision to repeal net neutrality rules, the FCC has today announced that the free-for-all begins on April 23. As of that date, it will be legal for Internet Service Providers to implement a two-speed Internet, with the fastest speeds reserved for companies able to pay for the privilege …

Internet service providers will be free to prioritize traffic to websites and services belonging to companies that pay for this, with slower bandwidth provided to other sites. They will also be permitted to charge customers a premium for access to certain types of service – like streaming video – or even block access to specific sites altogether if they wish.

The FCC is implementing the loss of consumer protections despite claims of widespread fraud and identity theft during the consultation process.

A number of states and trade groups are attempting to overturn the move in the courts, while others are attempting to enforce net neutrality at a state level.

The move has been almost universally opposed by tech companies and tech pioneers, including Google.

Using a VPN would prevent ISPs throttling or blocking traffic to specific sites, as it would make them unable to see which sites you are visiting or what you are doing there.


Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:

 

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Google — experts who break news about Google and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Google on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel