U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, who has been facing backlash and death threats online and otherwise for repealing net neutrality laws, has now installed CCTV cameras around his home and got a security detail for himself and his family.
Pai has been on the receiving end of hate mail and threats to his life since repealing the Obama-era Net Neutrality policy. Earlier this month, he cancelled his scheduled appearance at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 reportedly after receiving death threats.
As an explanation for the cancellation he said it was at an inconvenient time.
Prior to this, there was a bomb scare on the day of the vote of repealing Net Neutrality, which led to evacuation of the premises briefly.
The vitriol also plagued his family earlier as protesters had gathered outside his home with signs “Is this really the world you want [your children] to inherit?” and “They will come to know the truth. Dad murdered democracy in cold blood” with his children’s names on it. Pai had said in November that it “crosses a line with me.” During his appearance on Fox and Friends he said that “it was a little nerve-racking, especially for my wife.” He later issued a statement asking the protesters to leave his family out of this and “focus on debating the merits of the issue.”
Meanwhile, 50 Senators have endorsed a resolution to withdraw the repeal, which deregulated internet providers. The resolution requires one more lawmaker to pass the Senate resolution of disapproval. The resolution seeks to overturn the current deregulation, which Republicans said was restrictive for the industry, and stops FCC from going through with such measures again.
Democrats have opposed repealing of FCC as it provided protection to the consumers.
“With full caucus support it’s clear that Democrats are committed to fighting to keep the Internet from becoming the Wild West where ISPs are free to offer premium service to only the wealthiest customers while average consumers are left with far inferior options,” said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., the Denver Post reported. However, Democrats are in minority in the Senate and it remains to be seen if the resolution is actualized.