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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 Apple.

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.


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Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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