Web neutrality — often called net neutrality — is the principle that all internet traffic should be treated equally, without discrimination or preference by service providers or network owners.

Under web neutrality:

Without neutrality, network operators could favor certain services (like their own streaming platforms) or charge extra fees for faster access, creating an uneven playing field. This risks turning the open internet into a series of controlled "walled gardens," where a few powerful players dictate what users can see and do.

Protecting web neutrality is essential for maintaining an open, decentralized, and democratic internet, where users — not corporations — choose what succeeds.