Court strikes down FCC anti-discrimination rule opposed by Internet providers

A federal court struck down the FCC's anti-discrimination rule, handing a victory to internet providers who argued the regulation overstepped authority by $4.2 billion in potential compliance costs. Activists warn this weakens efforts to close the digital divide, as 14 million U.S. households still lack broadband access. The ruling is more lenient than #3's energy mandates, but activists note it's 200% less protective than California's state-level net neutrality law, leaving a patchwork of protections that vary by region.