Facebook eyes millimeter-wave wireless to power free internet

Despite a major setback in India, Facebook is still working on expanding its Free Basics service (part of internet.org) for developing nations. The company told the Verge that it’s researching wireless networks that use extremely high-frequency millimeter-wave bands. It applied for at least two patents on the tech, which is similar to that proposed by Starry, the company led by fomer Aereo CEO Chet Kanojia. “This work is part of the Connectivity Lab which supports the mission of Internet.org — to connect the four billion people who don’t have Internet access,” a representative said.

Millimeter-wave wireless operates in the 30 to 300GHz spectrum, a frequency also being tested by operators for proposed 5G cellular networks. It’s generally set up as a “mesh” network, where signals are bounced between strategically placed antennas. Such signals generally don’t go through walls or other obstacles, so a direct line of site is required. Kanojia recently told Engadget that Starry plans to use it to deliver gigabit-speed connections with unlimited caps.

Along with its research into millimeter-wave networks, Facebook’s Connectivity Lab is looking at ways to provide internet via satellite and other means. However, the company’s Free Basics service, which gives users access to Facebook and a few other sites (but not the rest of internet), has stumbled. Many think that it violates net neutrality principals and could harm other projects to provide free internet to poor regions. Google, for instance, has Project Loon, which uses high-altitude balloons to distribute wireless internet over a wide swath, with no content restrictions.

Facebook’s patent applications detail how networks could be built efficiently using millimeter-wave systems, but there’s no guarantee that they’ll be granted by the USPTO. Quite a few players are researching the tech, including cellular network operators, Starry and now Facebook. That means that the US Patent Office, not the FCC, may end up picking the winners and losers.

Via: The Verge

Source: USPTO (1), (2)

French privacy agency demands changes from Facebook

France’s data protection agency, the Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertes (CNIL), has issued an order demanding changes in the way Facebook operates the social media site in France. CNIL is demanding Facebook stop tracking non-members without consent who visit the site and that they stop transferring some personal data back to the U.S. CNIL is also demanding Facebook implement stronger password complexity rules. The demands follow similar action taken last year in Belgium.

Facebook currently tracks any visitor to the web site through the use of cookies, even people who are not Facebook account holders. The type of cookie that Facebook uses can persist for up to two years. In Belgium, in response to this problem, Facebook changed their site to require users to log on in order to view any pages.

To get logged on, French users may have to update their passwords if they are currently using one that is six or seven characters in length. The CNIL is demanding Facebook bump their password complexity rules up to require at least eight characters.

Finally, CNIL informed Facebook that they must stop transferring personal data back to the U.S. due to the lack of a Safe Harbour agreement being in place. The old agreement between the EU and the US was ruled invalid in October 2015 and a new agreement, while drafted, has not been adopted. Facebook contends their transfer of personal data is governed by other legal contracts and they were not operating pursuant to the Safe Harbour agreement.

CNIL has given Facebook three months to comply with these new requirements or face potential fines. A Facebook spokesperson says the social media company looks “forward to engaging with the CNIL to respond to their concerns.”

source: BBC

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France tells Facebook to stop moving user data overseas

France’s privacy regulator has told Facebook that the site is in violation of the country’s data protection act. Furthermore, the social network has been given just three months to get its act together, or it’ll face the threat of sanctions. The charges leveled against the site include the fact that it pushes data relating to its European users to servers based in the US. That’s been a bone of contention across the continent, which is why the provisions governing such actions — Safe Harbor — were declared invalid last year. That means that Facebook’s been sending your private messages to servers accessible by the NSA without any permission.

The invalidation of Safe Harbor is one of several contentious issues that the regulators are picking up on. For instance, authorities found that Facebook’s use of cookies to monitor visitors is in violation if French Law. In addition, the site is charged with not making it clear enough that it collects data on the sexual orientation, religion and political views of its users. Finally, Facebook sells people’s personal data for targeted advertising, but provides people with no way to control who gets that data. Even though Europe has already agreed (in principle) a replacement for Safe Harbor, it looks as if Facebook will still have to weigh up if it’s worth remaining in France with these additional conditions.

Via: PC World

Source: CNIL, (2) (.PDF)

India bans Facebook’s ‘Free Basics’ service

Net neutrality one, Facebook zero. India’s telecommunications regulator has banned what it calls “discriminatory tariffs for data services,” more commonly known as zero-rating. The term describes schemes that allow customers to access particular sites or services for “free,” or without eating into their monthly data cap. Facebook has been offering such a deal through its Free Basics (formerly called internet.org) platform, which includes local news, weather, Wikipedia and, of course, Facebook.

Critics believe that zero-rating goes against the principles of net neutrality — the idea that all content on the internet should be treated equally. Usually, that means banning ISPs from selling so-called “fast-lanes” to companies that operate online. Zero rating, however, can be quite attractive to customers (it’s “free” access, after all) but the worry is that such tactics discourage competition and suffocate superior startups.

India’s regulator called on Reliance Communications, Facebook’s Indian telecom partner, to stop Free Basics last December. The move put Facebook on the defensive; to counter the negativity, the company has reportedly spent millions on new advertising and had an op-ed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg published in The Times of India. In the piece, he compared Free Basics to a public library, suggesting that its limited offerings are still beneficial to society. It seems those efforts were ultimately in vain, however. The rules handed down today weren’t aimed at Facebook specifically, but they almost certainly cover Free Basics:

“TSPs (telecom service providers) are prohibited from offering different tariffs based on the content, service, application or other data that a user is accessing or transmitting on the internet. Tariff for data services cannot vary on the basis of the website/ application/ platform or type of content being accessed. For example, a consumer cannot be charged differently based on whether she is browsing social media site A or B, or on whether she is watching streaming videos or shopping on the internet.”

The decision follows a similar shutdown in Egypt. A spokesperson for Facebook said: “Our goal with Free Basics is to bring more people online with an open, non-exclusive and free platform. While disappointed with the outcome, we will continue our efforts to eliminate barriers and give the unconnected an easier path to the internet and the opportunities it brings.”

Source: TRAI