Free Basics is the new name of Facebook’s Internet.org

Facebook has decided to change the name of Internet.org to Free Basics. The service has been under a lot of criticism as Facebook say it’s basically free internet, but users have reported that is not true, it’s limited internet of what Facebook want to show you.

There were also net neutrality concerns, saying Internet.org would gain an unfair advantage in the marketplace since other services could not give their services away for free. Facebook commented saying Free Basics would be free and allow any service to be free as well.

Support for HTTPS will also be added. This makes sure everything is fully encrypted when users are browsing the internet. The Android app, however, already has HTTPS when possible. Both the app and the website will be accessible in 19 countries and offer over 250 services, with 60 new services having just been added. If you are in India, you can only access it if you are a Reliance subscriber. Facebook says they are planning on making it available to other carriers in the future.

Mark Zuckerberg said:

“We want to make it clear that the apps you can use through Internet.org are free, basic services that can give you access to essential resources like BabyCenter.

Connectivity isn’t an end in itself. It’s what people do with it that matters — like raising a healthy family. We hope the improvements we’ve made today help even more people get connected — so that our whole global community can benefit together.”

Source: Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook)

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