Why net neutrality matters and what the internet would look like without it

Next month, the FCC will vote on a measure that could drastically change the internet. The commission is considering whether or not to remove nearly all of the protections for "net neutrality" — the principle that internet service providers (ISPs) have to treat all data on the internet equally. Current rules protect net neutrality by preventing internet service providers from favoring certain content over another.

Removing these protections hypothetically means that ISPs could act as a gatekeeper for what users see or have access to online, by slowing down certain sites, blocking others or charging premiums to access sites owned by competitors.

Today on MPR News, guest host Chris Farrell spoke with Nate Foster, from Cornell University, about why net neutrality rules were established and what the web would look like without them.

Use the audio player above to hear the full segment.