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Debate on Net Neutrality and Zero rating programme is getting worse day by day. It’s become the biggest issue in India and turned into a wildfire. This came in existence when Flipkart decided to partner with Airtel for its Airtel Zero service. You can describe this service as a plan to split our nation’s internet into several Internets. Under this service, one can access select websites for free without Internet connectivity.
Well, the deal didn’t get in action after supporting the Net Neutrality by its founder. Net Neutrality is for providing the same and equal Internet to all. All these started the campaign SaveTheInternet in return. Well, Facebook CEO and founder cannot be left untouched from this and dragged into this war by Flipkart. Mark Zuckerberg has also spoken on the same to defend its Internet.org service, which is a service to provide free access of limited Internet services in contribution with wireless network provider RCOM.
He talked on Net Neutrality and Internet.org. On one side he supported Net Neutrality while on other side, he seemed defending his Internet.org service during a Q&A session on Facebook. He said in the favour of the free and equal Internet to all and also said that network providers shouldn’t discriminate and limit access to all services. However, when he was asked for his own free Internet.org programme, then he said, "For people who are not on the internet though, having some connectivity and some ability to share is always much better than having no ability to connect and share at all. That’s why programs like Internet.org are important and can co-exist with net neutrality regulations."
He also gave a statement to Hindustan Times, "The Internet is one of the most powerful tools for economic and social progress. It gives people access to jobs, knowledge and opportunities. It gives voice to the voiceless in our society, and it connects people with vital resources for health and education. I believe everyone in the world deserves access to these opportunities."
He said that his Internet.org programme gives the Internet access to those who are not able to afford it or not aware from such things. Mark said that his service compliments Digital India Initiative started by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, a Reddit user commented on the same, "I read a very interesting study on the penetration of FB in developing countries (Thailand and Indonesia). One of the blinding insights from the research was, many who had access to FB because of such free data packs, did not even know they were on the internet. All they knew was Facebook and not the web. This specifically defeats the purpose of making people aware of the internet."
Well, all such debates have not got any finish point and the question remains unanswered.
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