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Cruz In Austin To Decry Net Neutrality

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AUSTIN (AP) - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is visiting a startup mentoring program in Austin to decry "net neutrality" as "Obamacare for the Internet."

President Barack Obama has called for heavier federal regulation of Internet providers and treating broadband much like any other public utility.

That sentiment has been cheered by consumer groups and content providers. They support "net neutrality," or the idea that Internet service providers shouldn't block, slow or manipulate data moving across its networks.

But Cruz, a tea party firebrand and possible 2016 Republican presidential hopeful, likens the concept to Obama's signature health care law. He and other top Republicans have sided with industry leaders in calling it government overreach.

Cruz will be speaking at the Capital Factory on Friday afternoon, along with the heads of three digital-based businesses.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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