• by Wendy Davis  @wendyndavis, January 31, 2017

Senator Al Franken is warning the new head of the Federal Communications Commission that weakening the net neutrality rules would threaten free speech online.

"Because of net neutrality, a handful of multibillion-dollar companies cannot control where their users get their information, and those massive corporations cannot choose to bury sites offering alternative viewpoints," Franken (D-Minnesota), writes in a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. "And because of net neutrality, people from across the nation can connect with each other, share their ideas on the internet, and organize a community effort."

The rules, passed by a 3-2 vote in 2015, reclassified broadband access as a "telecommunications" service and imposed common-carrier obligations on broadband providers. The regulations prohibit Internet service providers from blocking or degrading traffic, and from engaging in paid prioritization. The FCC also broadly banned providers from hindering Web users and content companies from connecting with each other online -- although the scope of that prohibition remains uncertain.

Telecoms and cable companies unsuccessfully asked the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the rules. The carriers are currently asking that court to reconsider its decision.

Even though the rules survived that first court challenge, the new FCC could still weaken the regulations. Pai, who vocally opposed the net neutrality order, recently said the rules' days were "numbered."

Franken said in his letter that Pai's well-documented opposition to the rules "raises serious concerns" about his commitment to free speech.

The senator added: "Allowing giant corporations to pick and choose the content available to everyday Americans would threaten the basic principles of our democracy."