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FCC Votes to Repeal Net Neutrality Rule: What Now? 

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WASHINGTON – The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to enshrine new policies that could radically change the way you use the internet.

In a 3-2 vote along party lines, the agency decided to move forward with undoing Obama-era net neutrality rules.

Under the Obama administration, the FCC worked for years to figure out how to ensure that the internet serves everyone equally, with all traffic over the web getting equal treatment so that no business or website is able to move faster over the net than any others. 

The agency's Republican majority approved a plan to scrap the rules preventing internet providers like Comcast and AT&T from blocking or slowing web traffic, or creating so-called paid internet fast lanes.

Instead, providers will be required to disclose their practices, with the FTC expected to police anti-competitive behavior.

"The internet is the greatest free market innovation in history," started Ajit Pai, the Trump-appointed chairman of the FCC, in his speech before the final vote to axe net neutrality was finalized. 

"The main complaint the consumers have about the internet is not and has never been that their internet providers are blocking access to content," he continued, noting many Americans still don't have access to the internet, which he contends is the real problem. 

Pai has repeatedly said that net neutrality dissuades internet providers to invest in building out and expanding their network, yet Comcast, AT&T, and Verizon have all said on investor calls that they've been investing more in their networks since the net neutrality rules were originally passed in 2015.

Pai's remarks were interrupted by a roughly 15-minute abrupt recess for security reasons. During that time, reporters and spectators were ordered to clear the room and leave their belongings behind.

After the recess, Pai also criticized rhetoric around the net neutrality. "It is not going to kill democracy," he said. The vote followed Pai's remarks.

At the heart of the issue: Should the FCC regulate the internet or should the government stay out of it and let the free market regulate it?

Now that Republicans control the FCC, it looks like the latter position will win.

Internet providers argue users won't notice any changes, but critics fear their providers will be able to see and control what they do online. 

Protests have broken out online and more are expected Thursday in Washington. 

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