-
Tips for becoming a good boxer - November 6, 2020
-
7 expert tips for making your hens night a memorable one - November 6, 2020
-
5 reasons to host your Christmas party on a cruise boat - November 6, 2020
-
What to do when you’re charged with a crime - November 6, 2020
-
Should you get one or multiple dogs? Here’s all you need to know - November 3, 2020
-
A Guide: How to Build Your Very Own Magic Mirror - February 14, 2019
-
Our Top Inspirational Baseball Stars - November 24, 2018
-
Five Tech Tools That Will Help You Turn Your Blog into a Business - November 24, 2018
-
How to Indulge on Vacation without Expanding Your Waist - November 9, 2018
-
5 Strategies for Businesses to Appeal to Today’s Increasingly Mobile-Crazed Customers - November 9, 2018
Egypt shuts down Facebook’s Free Basics ahead of uprising anniversary
Facebook has launched campaign where it is asking users to support Free Basics scheme under which the user can access some websites for free without paying internet charges.
Advertisement
Facebook’s partner in Egypt, telecom carrier Etisalat Egypt, began providing Free Basics service two months ago, and Facebook says more than 3 million people in Egypt have signed up.
“It’s pretty convenient for Facebook that ~making the world a better place~ involves making sure as many people become thirsty data siphons and customers of Facebook’s products and platforms as possible”, said an article written by Kate Knibbs about the recent suspension in Egypt. Ironically, Facebook feels the need to bundle its social network and messenger app with the Free Basics program.
“We, therefore, urge that the TRAI should support net neutrality in its strongest form, and thoroughly reject Facebook’s “free basics” proposal”.
The industry body has suggested as part of corporate social responsibility Internet companies should be allowed to provide free Net packs to users. “The differential pricing issue is important, because it has implications for net neutrality”, R Chandrashekhar, president of the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) president told ET.
Mark Zuckerberg is trying to bring free internet to India, but he’s been stunned to discover the country may not want it.
According to The Times of India, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India will reconsider the service after it is clarified “whether a telecom operator should be allowed to have differential pricing for different kinds of content”, a chief concern for proponents of a neutral internet.
“We know that when people have access to the Internet they also get access to jobs, education, healthcare, communication”, said Zuckerberg.
“Instead of recognising that Free Basics fully respects net neutrality, they claim – falsely – the exact opposite”.
Academicians from India’s premier institutes IITs and IISc have slammed Facebook’s Free Basics initiative, terming it “flawed” and “misleading”.
Advertisement
Zuckerberg’s personal appeal comes amid fierce criticism from net neutrality activists who say his plan violates the principle that the whole Internet should be available to all and unrestricted by any one company. Neither Nasscom, nor IAMAI mentioned Free Basics in their submissions to the regulator.