internet shutdowns Authoritarian Regimes Weaponize Internet Shutdowns to Silence Dissent Governments across 21 countries deliberately shut down internet access over 50 times this year to suppress protests and control populations. These blackouts devastate local economies and pose a severe threat to global digital freedom.
biden Biden Signs Executive Order to Curb Big Tech Anti-Competitive Practices President Biden signs a sweeping executive order targeting anti-competitive practices in Big Tech and other major industries. The order directs multiple federal agencies to increase scrutiny of corporate consolidation and protect consumers.
executive order 14036 Biden's Executive Order 14036 Targets Anti-Competitive Practices Across US Economy Executive Order 14036 directs over a dozen federal agencies to tackle corporate consolidation and anti-competitive practices through 72 specific initiatives. President Trump revokes this sweeping order in August 2025.
at&t AT&T Agrees to $60 Million Settlement Over Deceptive Unlimited Data Claims AT&T pays $60 million to the FTC after falsely advertising unlimited data plans while secretly throttling speeds for millions of customers.
freedom house US Internet Freedom Drops for Third Year Amid Surveillance and Disinformation Freedom House reports that the United States experiences a third consecutive yearly decline in internet freedom due to increased social media surveillance, warrantless device searches at borders, and rampant disinformation.
net neutrality DC Circuit Upholds FCC Net Neutrality Repeal But Allows State Protections A federal appeals court upholds the FCC's repeal of net neutrality rules but rules the agency lacks the authority to stop states from enacting their own protections. The decision allows states to step in and shield Internet users despite the federal rollback.
fcc Federal Court Limits FCC Authority, Allows State Net Neutrality Laws A federal appeals court significantly weakens the FCC's net neutrality repeal by ruling the agency lacks the power to block state-level protections. Although the court upholds the broader repeal, one judge describes its foundational logic as completely detached from modern broadband reality.
maine Maine Passes Strongest State Law Banning ISP Data Sales Maine lawmakers approve a groundbreaking privacy bill requiring internet providers to get permission before selling user data. Governor Janet Mills signs the measure into law to protect residents from unauthorized data harvesting.
eu copyright directive Major Websites Protest Controversial EU Copyright Directive Ahead of Vote German Wikipedia and other major platforms are protesting the EU Copyright Directive, warning that Articles 11 and 13 threaten free expression and innovation. Over 5 million Europeans sign a petition against the law before next week's parliamentary vote.
fcc FCC Investigates Massive Error Inflating Broadband Deployment by Millions The FCC investigates a massive reporting error that falsely claims broadband availability for 62 million people. A small ISP mistakenly submits every census block in eight states as its coverage area.
eu copyright directive Major Websites Protest EU Copyright Directive Ahead of Pivotal Vote Reddit, Wikipedia, and other major platforms stage protests against the EU Copyright Directive, warning that Articles 11 and 13 threaten the open internet. A final vote on the controversial legislation is scheduled for Tuesday.
net neutrality House Net Neutrality Hearing Exposes Lawmakers' Persistent Technical Ignorance A recent House hearing on net neutrality features lawmakers recycling outdated arguments and ignoring established facts. Instead of pursuing bipartisan legislation, representatives choose grandstanding over genuine understanding of internet regulations.
net neutrality Federal Court Hears Landmark Challenge to FCC Net Neutrality Repeal A federal court hears arguments today as consumer groups and states challenge the FCC's rollback of Obama-era net neutrality rules. The case centers on whether regulators acted legally when they reclassified the internet as a lightly regulated information service.
net neutrality Court Rejects FCC Request to Delay Net Neutrality Lawsuit During Shutdown A federal judge denies the FCC's attempt to postpone its net neutrality court battle due to the government shutdown, scheduling oral arguments for February 1. The decision leaves the agency scrambling to prepare without its furloughed staff.
fcc FCC Chairman Pai Cheers House Failure to Reverse Net Neutrality Repeal FCC Chairman Ajit Pai praises the House for declining to reinstate net neutrality rules, ignoring the Senate's previous vote to the contrary. His statement highlights a selective view of congressional opposition and makes unverified claims about internet health.