Jun 13, 2018

Washington state reinstates net neutrality law following FCC repeal

Marisa Fernandez

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is speaking. — Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. Photo: Fotoholica Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

When the Federal Communications Commission repealed net neutrality on Monday, Washington state Governor Jay Inslee did not waste any time reinstating the nationally-repealed rules that same day for the people of Washington.

The big picture: The attempts by individual state governments for net neutrality rules to return isn’t new. But since the FCC's repeal went in to effect on Monday, Washington state’s law, which was signed back in March, is the first to pass and be implemented.

The details: The state law does not allow telecommunications providers to block legal content, slow down traffic and favor certain sites for company’s benefit.

It will also require internet providers to “disclose certain service information about network management practices, performance and terms to their consumers.”

Washington isn't alone in similar efforts. Governors of several states like New York, Vermont and Montana have issued executive orders to protect net neutrality for ISPs back in January.

Since the beginning of the year, more than 20 states have sued the FCC for issuing the repeal.
In December, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka committed to keep the city-owned fiber network net neutral.

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Washington state reinstates net neutrality law following FCC repeal

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