NEWS

FCC Seeks Input on How to Combat Digital Discrimination

Apr 20, 2022

The Federal Communications Commission opened a process on how to prevent and eliminate digital discrimination to ensure that everyone has equal access to broadband internet access service.

The Notice of Inquiry starts the process of establishing a shared understanding of the harms experienced by historically excluded and marginalized communities, with the intent of making meaningful policy reforms and systems improvements.

The Notice asks for comment on how to implement provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that require the FCC to combat digital discrimination, and to promote equal access to broadband across the country, regardless of income level, ethnicity, race, religion, or national origin.

Specifically, the FCC seeks input on the following questions:

  • What rules the Commission should adopt to facilitate equal access to broadband internet access service and prevent digital discrimination;
  • What other steps the Commission should take to eliminate digital discrimination;
  • What data the Commission should rely on as it considers the issue of digital discrimination; and
  • How the Commission should revise its public complaint process to accept complaints related to digital discrimination.

The Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative encourages any interested stakeholders to include discrimination based on age in their comments to the FCC. Comments are due May 16th.