Net Neutrality
Net neutrality is the principle that internet traffic should be treated without unfair preference by network operators. At its simplest, it means providers should not privilege some packets, services, or companies over others simply because they can profit from doing so.
The concept matters because it turns technical infrastructure into a governance question. Once providers can favor their own services, charge for priority delivery, or throttle competitors, they stop being passive conduits and start becoming gatekeepers over what kinds of online experience are easier, smoother, or more visible.
The debate is not purely moral or purely technical. Some traffic types do have different performance needs. The hard question is where legitimate network management ends and anti-competitive control begins.