Overview

The Save the Internet Act is a proposed law that would re-introduce and reinforce internet regulations that would restore net neutrality protections, which were repealed in December 2017.

Background

On December 14th, 2017, the FCC held a vote to repeal the Obama-era net neutrality restrictions, which classified high-speed Internet as a public utility and enabling the implementation of new federal regulations that strictly prohibit the ISPs from pursuing paid prioritization agreements for the so-called "fast-lane Internet" and give the governing body more regulatory powers over business activities of the broadband industry in the United States. The vote succeeded 3-2 in favor of repealing net neutrality.

About a year and a half later, on March 6th, 2019, House and Senate Democrats announced the Save the Internet Act, which would restore and strengthen the rules and regulations repealed in the 2017 vote.^[1]

In the announcement, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "This legislation brings the power of the internet to every corner of this country, from rural America and to our cities. A free and open internet is a pillar in creating opportunities."

Developments

Online Reaction

That day, Senate Democrats^[2] posted a video of the announcement on Twitter. The post received more than 1,000 retweets, 2,500 likes and 37,000 views (shown below, left).

Additionally, Senator Ed Markey, a co-sponsor of the bill, tweeted,^[3] "Here’s the Save The Internet Act of 2019 that nearly every Senate Democrat joined me in introducing today. 3 pages that will restore #NetNeutrality. Let’s pass it and make the internet free and open again. #SaveTheNet." The tweet received more than 800 retweets and 1,400 likes in 24 hours (shown below, center). House Speaker Pelosi also tweeted^[4] about the law, receiving more than 3,200 retweets and 12,000 likes in 24 hours (shown below, right).

On March 5th, ahead of the announcement, Redditor mvea posted "House Democrats Will Introduce 'Save the Internet Act' to Restore Net Neutrality This Week" in the /r/technology.^[5] The following day, Redditor ^[6] GriffonsChainsaw posted about the legislation in the /r/technology subreddit. The post received more than 75,000 points (81% upvoted) and 2,400 comments in 24 hours.

Search Interest

External References