In a very partisan vote, 3-2 democrats over republicans, the vote passed and the new rules mean that companies cannot discriminate against traffic (except for exceptions for reasonable network management.)
The core net neutrality provisions are bans on blocking and throttling traffic, a ban on paid prioritization, and a requirement to disclose network management practices. Broadband providers will not be allowed to block or degrade access to legal content, applications, services, and non-harmful devices or favor some traffic over others in exchange for payment. There are exceptions for "reasonable network management" and certain data services that don't use the "public Internet." Those include heart monitoring services and the Voice over Internet Protocol services offered by home Internet providers.This is huge because it protects consumers from big bad evil corporations that want to charge Netflix, et al. more to provide "fast lanes" and yet still provides for QoS (Quality of Service) for VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) aka using your data lines for telephone calls.
In more ridiculous news, Verizon responded to the FCC's vote by using Morse code in their press release. Classic example of someone not getting their way and having a tantrum. I do believe it is time for their nap...let me go get their blanket and "binky."
This doesn't necessarily have much to do with InfoSec but it is HUGE and IMPORTANT news that just had to be shared...and if it is important for the people and for the freedom of the internet, then it is important for IT professionals and those in security to know about and, hopefully, celebrate.
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