Senator wants promises that net neutrality doesn't help terrorists
Telecoms and other net neutrality opponents usually try to paint the regulation as anti-free market, but they've lately raised the specter of terrorism. Supposedly, it might prevent internet providers from blocking extremist sites. It's a big enough concern, in fact, that Senator Dianne Feinstein wants reassurances that this isn't actually a problem. The California politician has written to the FCC asking it to "clarify" that net neutrality rules still let providers silence content that encourages illegal terrorist activity, such as the bomb-making instructions in al Qaeda's Inspire magazine. Feinstein doesn't necessarily believe the telcos' rhetoric, according to the letter -- she just wants to eliminate the ISPs' "confusion."
The move isn't surprising for Feinstein, who has a history of calling for bans on the Anarchist Cookbook and other material intended to teach mass murder. However, there's a question over whether or not a promise is strictly necessary. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler previously told Feinstein that the net neutrality rules already have a clause allowing companies to help out in matters of "law enforcement, public safety, or national security." This may be more of an attempt to keep sue-happy corporations off the government's back than an urgent call for regulatory reform.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais]
