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Net neutrality champ Mignon Clyburn: FCC is hurting consumers

The commissioner exits the agency with some fighting words, but she's not done fighting for the voiceless.

Abrar Al-Heeti Technology Reporter
Abrar Al-Heeti is a technology reporter for CNET, with an interest in phones, streaming, internet trends, entertainment, pop culture and digital accessibility. She's also worked for CNET's video, culture and news teams. She graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Though Illinois is home, she now loves San Francisco -- steep inclines and all.
Expertise Abrar has spent her career at CNET analyzing tech trends while also writing news, reviews and commentaries across mobile, streaming and online culture. Credentials
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Abrar Al-Heeti
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Mignon Clyburn says making communications services affordable and efficient is the FCC's top priority. 

Larry French / Getty Images

Mignon Clyburn is concerned the Federal Communications Commission is prioritizing corporations over consumers, according to Ars Technica

Before leaving the agency this month, the former commissioner told the publication that the FCC's top priority is to ensure all Americans have "affordable, efficient, and effective" access to communications services. If the agency doesn't work to make affordable services a reality, "our mission will not be realized," she said.

Clyburn announced in April that she would be stepping down from the FCC and gave her last policy speech as a commissioner earlier this month. 

"I've done all I know to do. And it's time for me to serve in another way," she said at the time. 

Clyburn was appointed commissioner by President Barack Obama in 2009, and was in the majority when the FCC passed its 2015 net neutrality rules. She has opposed the Republican-led repeal of the rules.

Clyburn didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, but she told Ars Technica that broadband regulators need to find a balance that protects consumers and promotes investment from companies of all sizes.

"If you don't regulate appropriately, things go too far one way or the other, and we either have prices that are too high or an insufficient amount of resources or applications or services to meet the needs of Americans," she said.

Clyburn didn't share what she plans to do now that she's left the FCC, but said she'd continue "to be a voice for the voiceless."

"I hope to be able to be an advocate for those who may not have gotten the type of attention that I believe they deserve at the agency," she said.