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Here's how tech's responding to the net neutrality vote

The tech industry vocally opposed the FCC's decision to reverse Obama-era net neutrality policies.

Ian Sherr Contributor and Former Editor at Large / News
Ian Sherr (he/him/his) grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, so he's always had a connection to the tech world. As an editor at large at CNET, he wrote about Apple, Microsoft, VR, video games and internet troubles. Aside from writing, he tinkers with tech at home, is a longtime fencer -- the kind with swords -- and began woodworking during the pandemic.
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The look on many tech industry faces today.

 Sarah Tew/CNET

The Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to put an end to the Obama-era net neutrality rules, which required service providers to treat all internet traffic equally.

The response from the tech industry was swift and loud and predictable. The industry isn't happy with what is turning out to be the Trump administration's biggest regulatory move yet.

Here's what Silicon Valley is saying about the decision.

Facebook

Sheryl Sandberg, the social network's COO, called the decision "disappointing and harmful."

Today’s decision from the Federal Communications Commission to end net neutrality is disappointing and harmful. An open...

Posted by Sheryl Sandberg on Thursday, December 14, 2017

Twitter

The social network tweeted that the decision was "a body blow to innovation and free expression."

Google

A Google spokesperson said the company is committed to net neutrality, despite the vote.

We remain committed to the net neutrality policies that enjoy overwhelming public support, have been approved by the courts, and are working well for every part of the internet economy.  We will work with other net neutrality supporters large and small to promote strong, enforceable protections.

Airbnb

Brian Chesky, CEO for the hot room-renting startup, said he was disappointed.

Mozilla

The Firefox maker's head of policy, Denelle Dixon, said the decision was a result of "a broken process, broken politics, and broken policies."

We are incredibly disappointed that the FCC voted this morning – along partisan lines – to remove protections for the open internet. This is the result of broken processes, broken politics, and broken policies. As we have said over and over, we'll keep fighting for the open internet, and hope that politicians decide to protect their constituents rather than increase the power of ISPs.

This fight isn't over. With our allies and our users, we will turn to Congress and the courts to fix the broken policies.

The partisan divide only exists in Washington.  The internet is a global, public resource and if closed off — with only some content and services available unless you pay more to your ISP — the value of that resource declines. According to polls from earlier this year, American internet users agree. Three-quarters of the public support net neutrality. This isn't a partisan issue.

We'll keep fighting. We're encouraged by net neutrality victories in India and elsewhere.  Americans deserve and need better than this.

Netflix

The entertainment giant vowed that this is the beginning of a longer legal battle.

Reddit

Steve Huffman, CEO of the social network that bills itself as "the front page of the internet," encouraged people to make their voices heard.

The FCC’s vote was predictably frustrating, but we’re not done fighting for net neutrality. from announcements

Imgur

Machinima

The rest of us

First published Dec. 14, 2:17 p.m. PT.
Update, Dec. 14 at 2:37 p.m.: Adds comment from Google.

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