What is net neutrality and why does it matter?

“Net neutrality” regulations, designed to prevent internet service providers like Verizon, AT&T, Comcast and Charter from favouring some sites and apps over others, are on the chopping block. The net neutrality rules gave the FCC power to go after companies for business practices that weren’t explicitly banned as well. Pai’s FCC spiked the effort to go after AT&T, even before it began rolling out a plan to undo the net neutrality rules entirely. Netflix, which had been vocal in support of the rules in 2015, said in January that weaker net neutrality wouldn’t hurt it because it’s now too popular with users for broadband providers to interfere. Some groups plan lawsuits to challenge the FCC’s move, and Democrats energized by public protests in support of net neutrality think it might be a winning political issue for them in 2018 congressional elections.