US President Barack Obama speaks before signing a memorandum directing the Federal Government not to discriminate against long-term unemployed job seekers at the White House in Washington, DC, January 31, 2014. AFP PHOTO / Jim WATSON (Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the U.S. government is exploring options for keeping the Internet free and open after a federal court set aside rules designed to do just that.

A three-judge panel earlier this month set aside rules intended to ensure that the transmission of Internet content be treated equally, without priority given to some types of traffic over others. Obama says it's an issue he cares deeply about, partly because his campaign was powered by an Internet that was free of commercial barriers.

"It’s something that I’ve cared deeply about ever since I ran for office," the president said. "My own campaign was empowered by a free and open internet."

He says a court's decision must be respected, at least initially, but that the Federal Communications Commission is examining its options. Those options include appealing the court's decision or coming up with a new set of rules.

Obama commented Friday during a chat on Google Plus Hangout.