MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On December 15, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Desir, expressed concern over the US decision to repeal net neutrality rules, describing it as a "blow" to media freedom.
I am dismayed by the decision of the the Federal Communications Commission of the United States to repeal rules on #NetNeutrality — a real blow for #AccesstoInformation #MediaFreedom #Digital Rights online @OSCE_RFoM
— Harlem Désir (@harlemdesir) 14 декабря 2017 г.
On December 14, the FCC voted to repeal net neutrality rules imposed under former President Barack Obama's administration. The move prompted fierce criticism by advocacy groups and politicians. Many members of the US Congress, mostly Democrats, launched a campaign to overturn the FCC decision. The Attorney General of the state of New York Eric Schneiderman has said that he would file a lawsuit against the abolition of "net neutrality," which would be supported by several states. According to the Public Prosecutor, the decision of the FCC is unlawful.
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The legislation prohibited Internet providers from charging more for access to specific websites or restrict capacity for those that take up more traffic. The cancellation of the decision will be a blow companies such as online cinema Netflix (consumes up to 37% of all traffic in North America) and YouTube (18%). The affected companies may try to pass new costs on to its consumers. Netflix as of the third quarter of 2017 had 52.7 million subscribers in the US, the monthly fee varies from 7.99 to 13.99 dollars per month.
