Los Angeles Cracks Down On 'Digital Discrimination' By Internet Service Providers

If you feel you’ve been discriminated against by internet companies, there will soon be a new way for you to submit a complaint.

The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved an ordinance to hold internet providers accountable for offering slower, costlier broadband in low-income communities.

“People need to know that if they're experiencing digital discrimination that they can identify, they can call the city of Los Angeles and expect to get help with that now,” said Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson of the 8th District, who sponsored the digital discrimination ordinance.

While there’s no “specific timeline,” Harris-Dawson said the Civil, Human Rights and Equity Department will look at the city’s existing anti-discrimination laws and create a new policy for investigating complaints.

It will also develop a public information program so that people know where to go for help, and create a process for forwarding claims to the Federal Communications Commission.

“Discrimination is one of those things you need to fight on every front,” Harris-Dawson said. “We have the capacity and the will to do it.”

Analyzing complaints

The city will also be tasked with analyzing complaints, including demographic information, and will be required to report annually on any potential trends.

Advocates are celebrating the “historic action” and say it makes L.A. the first city in the nation to directly address digital discrimination.

“This is a powerful statement in solidarity with the community-based organizations that championed this policy and work every day to improve the quality of life for all Angelenos,” said Miguel A. Santana, president and CEO of the California Community Foundation.

The group partnered with the Digital Equity LA coalition to highlight “troubling pricing practices'' by the nation’s largest internet service providers in October 2022. It found that some companies offer lower prices and higher speeds in wealthy neighborhoods across L.A. County.

“We look forward to partnering with the city to address digital injustice through the creation of an easily accessible complaint system for Angelenos to share their experiences, including disparities in the price they’re asked to pay,” said Ray López-Chang of the group GPSN, a co-convenor of DELA.

Spectrum serves more than 98% of LA County households. In a statement, the company said it's working to "comprehensively" address access, adoption and affordability barriers to broadband.

FCC rules

In November, the FCC adopted new rules to stop broadband providers from digitally discriminating against customers based on race, income and other protected traits.

The order, which goes into effect in March, allows the FCC to fine providers for not providing equal service to different communities “without adequate justification,” and sets up a process for the public to submit complaints.

More importantly, it defines digital discrimination to include both unequal treatment and disparate effects for protected groups. Local advocates want the city’s ordinance to be consistent with the new FCC rules.