Netflix has criticised the vote by members of the FCC to abandon the 2015 Net Neutrality rules introduced by the Obama administration.
The vote on rules governing how Internet Service Providers manage the traffic on their networks went with party affiliations 3-2. It means that operators need not treat all content companies with the same respect and will be free to speed up or slow down individual content.
In a Tweet from its corporate account, the streaming service said the vote was just the beginning of a legal battle and that it would stand with innovators large and small to oppose what it described as a “misguided” FCC order.
We’re disappointed in the decision to gut #NetNeutrality protections that ushered in an unprecedented era of innovation, creativity & civic engagement. This is the beginning of a longer legal battle. Netflix stands w/ innovators, large & small, to oppose this misguided FCC order.
— Netflix (@netflix) December 14, 2017
Previously, Netflix had said its business would not be impacted by any change.
The FCC said the move would remove the public utility-style legislation and help those ISPs serving rural America to provide better competition.
The legislation would “restore the long-standing, bipartisan approach to protecting Internet freedom”.
Google, Amazon and Apple also remain opposed.