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Two people familiar with the matter told Recode the FCC boss canceled the appearance on January 9 over security concerns. Federal law enforcement has launched a probe into the matter. The FBI, though, wouldn’t confirm the report.
A spokesman for the Consumer Technology Association, the group which organizes the tech industry event, refused to comment on the news. Pai’s office said the FCC refuses to comment on “security measures or concerns.”
It is not the first time Pai faces death threats since taking office. Last month, he had to halt a FCC meeting and leave the room over a similar security scare as his office was getting ready to undo the net neutrality rules.
The death threats came in despite his efforts to convince people that killing the Obama-era rules is a good thing. Without net neutrality in place, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can overcharge content providers at their own will.
Pai Has Clearly Upset Some People
Despite the wall of opposition to killing the rules, Pai decided last year to mock his critics by releasing a YouTube video in which he showcases all the things we’ll still be able to do on the Internet when net neutrality is gone.
He assures concerned Internet users that they’d still be able to “gram food,” post pictures with puppies, binge watching their favorite shows, and ruin memes. However, he fails to mention that without net neutrality, ISPs will have the last say on how much we are going to pay for content and at what speed were going to get that content.
So, it is no wonder that Pai mocking net neutrality supporters while doing the Harlem Shake has gotten some people really upset.
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