net neutrality

noun
UK /ˌnɛt njuːˈtræləti/
US /ˌnɛt nuːˈtræləti/

A rule that says the internet should treat all websites and apps the same, without slowing some down or speeding others up.

Thanks to net neutrality, small websites load just as fast as big ones.

SYNONYMS

open internetinternet fairnessnetwork neutralityequal internet access

RELATED WORDS

internetbroadbandISPdata throttlingdigital rights

OTHER MEANINGS

2. The principle that internet service providers must not block or charge differently for specific content.

The law protects net neutrality by banning providers from blocking apps.

3. A policy debate about who controls how data travels online.

Net neutrality is a big topic in technology policy.

4. The idea that all data packets should be handled equally on a network.

Engineers discussed net neutrality when designing the new network.