Final answer:
Net neutrality is the principle that Internet service providers should treat all data on the Internet equally, without discriminating or charging differently based on user, content, website, platform, or application.
Step-by-step explanation:
Net neutrality refers to the principle that all Internet data should be treated equally by Internet service providers. According to this concept, Internet providers should not favor the transmission of content from one site over that of another. Rather, there should be no 'fast' or 'slow' lanes that benefit entities that can pay more for better access or speeds. Net neutrality ensures that innovators can develop products and services without asking for permission and that consumers have uninterrupted access to legal online content without interference such as blocking or throttling by broadband providers.
The debate around net neutrality involves concerns that a lack of regulation could lead to discrimination, where large corporations could gain unfair advantages over smaller competitors. The Open Internet rules, adopted on February 26, 2015, aimed to prevent such practices by keeping the Internet open and free. These rules were grounded in various sources of legal authority, including Title II of the Communications Act. Although there have been changes in the regulatory approach to net neutrality with different administrations, the ongoing discussion signifies its importance in maintaining an equitable digital landscape.