Net Neutrality Rules Don't Protect AT&T In Battle Over Throttling, FTC Argues

The Federal Trade Commission says in new court papers that it is entitled to continue pursuing a lawsuit against AT&T, despite the new network neutrality rules. The agency argues in court papers filed on March 2 that the net neutrality rules don't “relieve AT&T of liability for its unfair and deceptive throttling program.” The FTC argues that even if the net neutrality regulations prevent it from bringing future enforcement actions against AT&T, it's “inconceivable” that the net neutrality order applies retroactively. The agency adds that applying the rules retroactively would “effectively extinguish the monetary claims of millions of unlimited customers injured by AT&T’s unfair and deceptive conduct.” AT&T is expected to file its next round of arguments on March 5.