Blocked and Reported Episode 294: What Ever Happened To Net Neutrality? Part 2
Feb 9, 2026
They trace dramatic swings in U.S. net neutrality policy, from viral public comment storms to legal reversals. They recount major activist tactics like mass slowdowns and banner campaigns. They examine industry pushback, political interventions, and evidence of throttling on mobile networks. They end by weighing how viral mobilization shaped policy but struggled to secure lasting rules.
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Public Comments Were Largely Organized Campaigns
- Large volumes of FCC comments were dominated by organized form-letter campaigns on both sides, not purely grassroots input.
- The Sunlight Foundation found the first batches overwhelmingly pro-net neutrality but later batches showed organized opposition influence.
Merger Loss Felt Like A Big Activist Win
- Activists celebrated 2015 victories, including Comcast abandoning the Time Warner merger, as proof public pressure worked.
- That triumph reinforced reliance on viral campaigns and regulatory pressure instead of slower legislative routes.
Chairmanship Shift Drove Repeal Momentum
- Ajit Pai's 2017 repeal framed the issue as undoing outdated regulation, arguing Title II micromanaged the internet.
- The repeal reflected partisan control of the FCC and was predictable once Republicans held the chair.
