FCC's Sohn says Google, Facebook had little say on net neutrality

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The Federal Communication Commission’s landmark decision on network neutrality has produced all sorts of speculation about the degree to which well-known tech giants shaped the outcome. “The fact of the matter is that Google and Facebook sat this one out … I don’t what this person is smoking” said FCC lawyer Gigi Sohn in reference to a Gawker story. According to Sohn, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s ultimate decision did not come about as a result of pressure from corporations or the White House.

Instead, she said Chairman Wheeler (who is not a lawyer) came to reassess the situation after learning about various legal nuances, and in response to a series of external developments, including a time in Spring 2014 when his Netflix service started sputtering. Sohn did, however, credit the White House and members of Capitol Hill for providing “covering fire” as it became clear that Chairman Wheeler’s office intended to go forward with reclassification. She added that the FCC’s final decision did not come about as a result of any single factor (including comedian John Oliver), but rather from broad public support.


FCC's Sohn says Google, Facebook had little say on net neutrality