FCC Targeted For Net Neutrality Repeal


December 18, 2017 02:00 PM

Following the United States Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) decision to repeal net neutrality, Anonymous has mobilized a digital protest aimed at the FCC, Internet service providers (ISPs) and those that lobby for the repeal of net neutrality.

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Abstract

Following the United States Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) decision to repeal net neutrality, Anonymous has mobilized a digital protest aimed at the FCC, Internet service providers (ISPs) and those that lobby for the repeal of net neutrality. If the repeal of net neutrality is passed by the United States Congress, hacktivists could escalate their protests against those that directly and indirectly support the repeal. Targets could include the FCC, United States Congress, AT&T, Comcast, Spectrum, Charter and other organizations.

Figure 1: Anonymous preparing for a cyber-attack

Background

Net neutrality is the principle that Internet service providers must treat all data on the Internet the same and not discriminate or charge differently by user, content, website, platform, application, type of attached equipment or method of communication. On December 14, 2017, the FCC voted to repeal net neutrality. 

Following the repeal, different groups within the Anonymous collective began forming digital campaigns to protest the repeal. Currently, there are calls for digital attacks in the form of a denial-of-service attacks, injections and data theft (‘doxing’). Some threat actors have pastedi “whois” details for fcc.gov under the tag OpFCC while others shared personal information of key figures at the FCC, such as FCC chairman Ajit Pai.

Anonymous says this protest is not a political issue but a human rights issue in regards to net neutrality. The hacktivist group believes the repeal of net neutrality will forever change the way the Internet is accessed in the United States. Anonymous believes that the repeal of net neutrality would result in wide spread censorship while creating a “pay-to-play” system that would drive small companies out of business. Anonymous demands that the FCC and ISPs treat all content equally and not give preference over certain services.

Figure 2: Anonymous threatens FCC officials

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