Officials call for net neutrality vote delay

WASHINGTON >> The Federal Communications Commission is expected later this month to repeal landmark regulations that aim to ensure that all websites, large and small, are treated equally by internet providers.

But the attorney general of New York and a Democratic commissioner at the FCC say the agency should delay the crucial vote on net neutrality. They are part of a mounting backlash of critics who have seized on what they say are millions of fake or automated comments submitted to the agency that have corrupted the policymaking process.

Public comments play an important role at the FCC, which typically solicits feedback from the public before it votes to make significant policy changes. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel said at a news conference Monday that widespread irregularities tied to net neutrality feedback, including at least one million phony comments, have tainted the public commenting process. The allegations of abuse are buttressing a campaign by online activists and government officials who oppose the FCC’s plan to dismantle net neutrality rules.

In a review of FCC comments over the past six months, Schneiderman’s office found that at least one million submissions may have impersonated Americans, including as many as 50,000 New York residents — a potential violation of state law. Millions more comments were likely submitted by nonexistent people, he said. Still, according to Schniederman, the FCC has refused to provide help to determine who may be responsible for the alleged fake commenting.