The **National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)** announced a $1.4 billion award to California on August 31st, earmarked for expanding broadband connectivity across the state. However, this significant funding comes with a contentious condition: California must agree to cease enforcing any state laws, orders, or policies that restrict internet service providers (**ISPs**). This provision, which would last for 14 years, has raised alarms among privacy advocates and IT security professionals, who warn of its potentially disastrous consequences for the state's consumers and public safety. ### Erosion of Net Neutrality Protections California is one of the few states with a strong, state-level net neutrality law, closely mirroring the principles of the **FCC's Open Internet Order**. This law explicitly prohibits ISPs from practices such as blocking, throttling, zero-rating, and instituting paid prioritization for internet services. Essentially, it ensures that users, not corporations, dictate their online experience. Should California be unable to enforce this gold-standard law, the safeguards preventing ISPs from controlling internet access and content would be severely diminished, granting these providers unprecedented power over online interactions. ### Impact on Broadband Affordability The federal deal also threatens California's vital affordability protections. A prime example is the recent merger approval of **Verizon** and **Frontier**, which mandated the merged entity offer a $20 internet plan to low-income Californians. This initiative is projected to save Californians billions of dollars over the next decade. Recent data from the **California Public Utilities Commission** indicates the average cost of broadband in major urban markets like San Mateo, Oakland, Los Angeles, and San Diego is approximately $51 per month. A 2023 **Consumer Reports** survey found that 84% of American consumers pay at least $50 monthly. The $30 monthly difference offered by California's affordability requirements is crucial for low-income households, offering substantial savings that new infrastructure alone cannot provide if access remains unaffordable. ### Jeopardizing Public Safety The state's net neutrality law also plays a critical role in public safety by preventing throttling that could impair emergency services. In 2018, **Verizon** notably throttled the internet service of firefighters battling one of California's largest wildfires at the time. This incident galvanized support for the state's net neutrality legislation. Without the ability to enforce these laws, California's first responders would be left in a vulnerable position, especially as the frequency and intensity of natural disasters continue to rise. ### The Call to Action With limited choices in ISPs for most Americans, California's net neutrality and affordability laws represent crucial protections against monopolistic practices. Advocates are urging Governor Newsom to reject this provision within the federal funding deal to preserve these hard-won safeguards, arguing that the long-term costs of relinquishing these protections far outweigh the immediate benefits of the federal funds.