America's decision to scrap rules designed to ensure a free and open internet leaves the European Union as the biggest market where Net neutrality still prevails — but critics say the EU is not a level playing field.
Consumer rights groups complain that EU regulations are being interpreted in ways that allow telecom firms and internet providers to offer discriminatory access to applications ranging from social media to music and video streaming.
"In practice, providers are allowed to use their position as gate-keepers to favor certain services, which is detrimental to consumers, competition and innovation as far as new, smaller players are concerned," said Eduardo Santos, director of the D3 Association for the Defense of Digital Rights in Portugal.