Mark Zuckerberg (Photo : Reuters)
While Mark Zuckerberg proudly announced the launching of Internet.org in India and Indonesia, critics claim that it goes against net neutrality. The Facebook CEO was quick to respond and defend the new initiative through a Facebook post.
Acknowledging that "some people have criticized the concept of zero-rating that allows Internet.org to deliver free basic internet services," Zuckerberg strongly agrees with the claim that "offering some services for free goes against the spirit of net neutrality."
Zuckerberg made it clear that his company fully supports net neutrality and the effort to keep the internet open. Also, he said that Internet.org neither blocks nor throttle any other services or create fast lanes and "it never will."
With net neutrality, according to Zuckerberg, there is a certainty that network operators do not discriminate by limiting access to services users want to use.
"It's an essential part of the open internet, and we are fully committed to it," Zuckerberg wrote. He further explained that net neutrality and universal connectivity, the idea of working to get more people connected, are two principles that are not contradictory as they "can and must coexist."
With Internet.org, Zuckerberg said his company is open for all mobile operators and they want "as many internet providers to join so as many people as possible can be connected."
Because of the previous criticisms, several Indian companies pulled content from Internet.org including news channel NDTV and mobile app Newshunt and travel website Cleartrip.com, Wall Street Journal reported.
To explain why the company has entirely withdrawn its association with and participation in Internet.org,Cleartrip wrote that "it is impossible to pretend there is no conflict of interest (both real and perceived) in our decision to be a participant in Internet.org."
