Facebook’s 'Free Basics' violates net neutrality: AIB’s new video
Mumbai: Indian comedy group AIB has released yet another video under the popular #savetheinternet series, which pointed out that Facebook’s ‘free basics’ is nothing but a refurbished version of Internet.org that received large-scale criticism from internet activists in India.
In the video, the group explained how Facebook has just renamed Internet.org to Free Basics, but uses the same principle, which violated net neutrality regulations. Earlier in September, the social networking giant changed Internet.org’s name to “Free basics” to attract wider audiences in India.
However, as pointed out by several Internet activists and groups, the free basics (Internet.org) platform breaches every aspect of net neutrality by allowing select partners to join. Additionally, services such as VoIP, high-resolution content and third party apps that interfere with telecom rules will also not be allowed.
In its defense, Facebook said that Free Basics will help in connecting rural India and in achieving “Digital equality” but AIB members further pointed out that Facebook’s free basics does not approve certain services which are absolutely necessary in uplifting India’s digital count.
Source: AIB
Even the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended more video penetration in rural areas in comparison to textual content, as it has the ability to cut across literacy barriers. Interestingly, the exclusion of video services blurs Facebook’s motives of “connecting Rural India”.
The video also discussed various other problems and witty facts about Free basics. For instance, Facebook accidentally activated the “Free basics” campaign for US citizens. Another interesting fact is how Facebook has been asking people using data packs and apps to shift to their platform for using similar apps, which is weird.
However, on the brighter side of the spectrum, TRAI has asked Reliance Communications to put Facebook’s free basics on hold and asked users to email their views regarding the platform before December 30.
The group has urged users to send in their responses after carefully researching about the issue rather than “accidentally sending an email just because of a Facebook notification”.
Net Neutrality had been a heated topic of discussion in India since early 2015 and several online activists and groups have stepped forward to support an all-inclusive Internet service in India.
