DEADLINE: Let’s hold internet companies accountable!

[Consumer Reports]   Dear Friend, On Thursday, we’re submitting our petition to the FCC calling for new rules that would hold giant broadband providers like Charter, AT&T, and Comcast accountable to you. Right now, there are no rules to prevent these companies from slowing your internet speeds, blocking your access to competitors’ websites – or even charging whatever prices or fees they like. More than 20,000 consumers have already signed on. [Can you add your name to the petition, so we can show the FCC we want strong rules?]( High-speed internet is an essential service – just like electricity, water or phone lines – and broadband companies should have to follow rules that protect consumers like you!  [Sign the Petition »](  Thank you, and please share this petition, too! Angel HanConsumer Reports --------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Friend, The coronavirus pandemic proved that Americans desperately need reliable high-speed internet to earn a living, attend school, get groceries – even access critical medical care. But unlike the other essential services you rely on everyday – electricity, water, phone lines – there are no rules that hold accountable giant corporations providing broadband service. That means behemoths like Charter, AT&T, Comcast, and other internet providers can slow down your internet speeds, charge whatever prices or fees they like, or even block your access to competitor’s websites, without reprisal. Worse, there is no single entity that holds them accountable for major internet outages that disrupt your life! Together, we can change that, and make sure giant internet providers have rules that benefit everyone! A plan is on the table right now to allow the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to set rules for internet providers so no company can slow your internet speeds, block your access, or prioritize traffic from higher-paying customers. [Join Consumer Reports in supporting these rules by signing our petition to the FCC.]( We need every consumer voice, because the giant internet providers are out in force to block them!  [Sign the Petition »](  Ensuring the FCC can protect consumers is critical, because it would prevent broadband companies from blocking or slowing customer access to competitors’ websites unless content providers pay up. And new rules also could address these critical issues: Internet security – The FCC can, on national security grounds, block companies affiliated with adversary states (like China’s Huawei) from participating in sensitive U.S. telecommunications, like cell phone markets. But it isn’t allowed to do the same for broadband. Public safety – Right now, the FCC can’t access the data it needs when there are widespread broadband outages, or do anything about those outages. And it can’t require companies to take steps to prevent those outages in the first place — especially critical during a natural disaster or a cyberattack. [Help make sure broadband companies are held accountable by signing our petition now!]( The deadline for consumers to weigh in on the plan is next week, so let’s show the FCC we want strong rules.  [Sign the Petition »]( After you sign, could you share this with friends and family so they can add their voice? Thank you again for all your work over the years to ensure everyone has access to reliable, affordable internet! Angel HanConsumer Reports [Unsubscribe from Consumer Reports action alerts.]( © 2022 Consumer Reports, 101 Truman Avenue, Yonkers, NY, 10703 [Contact Consumer Reports](