Media Contact: 
MediaRelations@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC, FTC FORMALIZE ENFORCEMENT PARTNERSHIP FOR PROTECTING THE OPEN INTERNET
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WASHINGTON, April 30, 2024—The Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to coordinate consumer protection efforts following the FCC’s restoration of Net Neutrality.  The FCC’s recent decision to reclassify broadband service as a Title II telecommunications service allows the FCC to protect consumers, defend national security, and advance public safety. 

“Consumers do not want their broadband provider cutting sweetheart deals, with fast lanes for some services and slow lanes for others. They do not want their providers engaging in blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “If consumers have problems, they expect the Nation’s expert authority on communications to be able to respond.  Now we can.  In partnership with our colleagues at the FTC, we will protect consumers and ensure internet openness, defend national security, and monitor network resiliency and reliability.  I thank Chair Khan and her team for their leadership and cooperation in protecting consumers.”

“The FTC is squarely focused on protecting Americans from illegal business tactics, from tackling AI-enabled voice cloning fraud to fighting the scourge of robocalls. We look forward to continuing to work in close partnership with the FCC,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “Effective law enforcement requires targeting the upstream actors enabling unlawful conduct, and having the FCC as a partner here will be critical.”

The FCC will return to its traditional position as the enforcer of essential rules as they apply to broadband service providers, a critical part of telecommunications infrastructure.  This includes prohibitions against blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization practices; transparency requirements; consumer protections related to internet service outages; and basic consumer privacy protections which have long applied to phone networks.  

The MOU terminates the 2017 Restoring Internet Freedom FCC-FTC Memorandum of Understanding.  It clarifies that commitments under prior MOUs, including the 2003 Memorandum of Understanding regarding Telemarketing Enforcement, as well as the 2015 FCC-FTC Consumer Protection Memorandum of Understanding, remain in effect and are not altered or invalidated by the new MOU.  The FCC and the FTC will continue to share legal, technical, and investigative expertise and experience.  

The FCC’s Safeguarding and Securing the Open Internet Order reclassifies broadband internet access service as a Title II common carrier service.  It creates a national standard by which the FCC can ensure that broadband internet service is treated as an essential service.  

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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).