New Delhi:
Undeterred by criticism Facebook went ahead to launch its free internet service Free Basics all over India in collaboration with reliance. Here are five things to know about this service which have always remained controversial due to the issue of net neutrality.
1) Facebook has partnered with telecom major Reliance Communications. This service will offer free access to over 30 Websites without data charges to users in India.
2) Facebook on 25th September, re-branded the service with name of ‘Free Basics’ armed with more services and stronger security measures.
3) Internet.org was re-branded as ‘Free Basics’ is a partnership between social networking services company Facebook and some internet providers which aims to provide free internet to people.
4) As claimed by the Facebook the service plans to bring affordable access to selected Internet services to less developed countries by increasing efficiency, and facilitating the development of new business models around the provision of Internet access.
5) The service has been criticized for violating net neutrality and favoring Facebook’s own services over its rivals. Cyber experts have accused Facebook for targeting India’s poor by favoring its own players.
