A D.C. Circuit court ruled Tuesday in favor of the Federal Communications Commission's Open Internet Rules, commonly known as net neutrality. The rules were created to prevent internet providers from privileging certain types of content over others. The regulations had been challenged by the telecom industry.

In writing its Open Internet Rules, the FCC received more than 4 million public comments, according to FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn. "A free and open internet is at the very heart of our American democracy," Clyburn said, according to a statement. "The court’s validation of that position makes clear that no matter how one accesses the internet, it will remain an open platform that enables free speech, freedom of expression and innovation to flourish."