The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit has unanimously struck down federal rules established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that aimed to prevent discrimination in broadband access. This ruling is seen as a significant win for telecom and cable lobby groups and was welcomed by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who had previously voted against the rules approved in 2023. The court stated that the FCC exceeded its legal authority by imposing liability for actions resulting in 'disparate impact' rather than merely addressing 'disparate treatment.' Furthermore, the court ruled that the FCC improperly applied the rules to entities that do not directly provide internet services. Carr argued that the rules could lead to forced discrimination based on race or gender, although he did not clarify how this would occur. In contrast, critics like John Bergmayer from the advocacy group Public Knowledge condemned the ruling, stating it undermines protections for lower-income neighborhoods and communities of color, who often experience inferior service and higher prices. The now-invalidated FCC rules allowed consumers to file complaints regarding discrimination and outlined the elements for investigation and penalties for violations.