Yesterday, it was revealed that the Federal Communications Commission was in closed door meetings with Google and Verizon to discuss a Verizon plan to offer faster service to those websites willing to pay. The FCC has abandoned the talks since reports surfaced that Verizon and Google have already reached a separate agreement on Internet traffic rules. Such an agreement between these Internet titans will severly upend net neutrality and the Internet as we know it.
Cable and phone companies see huge profits in creating a second, preferred, "tier" on the internet. Companies may even go as far to restrict content altogether, banning sites with unpopular or suggestive content or sites unable or unwilling to pay for access.
A blog on the Daily Kos put the issue of net neutrality quite simply as this:
"If you like the Internet the way it is, then you're for net neutrality. If you'd rather pay more money for less service, and have a giant company tell you what you are and aren't allowed to see, then you're against net neutrality."
Here's a helpful video as well, courtesy of savetheinternet.com :