LULAC Response to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s Proposed Net Neutrality Rulemaking
May 5, 2017
LULAC Response to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s Proposed Net Neutrality Rulemaking
Washington, D.C. – The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) strongly supports universal access to a free and open Internet that protects the interests of consumers and provides all Americans with a chance to participate in the internet economy on a level playing field.
We believe that the Internet of today remains far from this ideal, even with the existing net neutrality rules in place, given a persistent digital divide and an Internet ecosystem that is dominated by large non-diverse content providers.
For this reason, we welcome the opportunity to participate in FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s proposed net neutrality rulemaking which will revisit the reclassification of internet service providers under Title II. We hope to engage the FCC in a discussion of the following topics through the rulemaking process:
- What is the best regulatory framework going forward that includes strong consumer protections, incentivizes investment and innovation, and encourages broadband adoption by diverse underserved households through affordable access and relevant content?
- Should consumers have a right to control their own personal data requiring permission and compensation from companies who wish to use it? If so, could the compensation be used to pay for broadband access for consumers and get us closer to the free and open Internet envisioned by net neutrality proponents?
- If a content provider is found to be engaging in discriminatory employment practices against minorities, should it still be allowed to qualify as a “lawful” service eligible for Net Neutrality protections?
We encourage Chairman Pai to move forward with the rulemaking in a bipartisan consensus manner similar to what he has asked for in the past and that he look to rules that can have staying power with the courts and with future administrations. Similarly, Congress should explore whether it could pass a bi-partisan net neutrality bill that could codify net neutrality rules and thus provide a more permanent resolution of the issue.
LULAC intends to represent the interests of Latino consumers, employees and entrepreneurs in this discussion with an eye to changing the dialogue for their benefit. We look forward to engaging in a thoughtful, inclusive and civil discussion of the issues outlined above.
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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.