In another bid to promote its Internet.org platform in India, social networking titan Facebook is running a campaign - on users' timelines.
The new campaign, started earlier this week, aims to make the social network's users believe that the Internet.org platform is actually 'free internet.'
However, Internet.org has been widely panned as being against the principles of net neutrality as it allows users to access only websites that have signed up for the platform, while blocking access to those that did not join the Facebook initiative. Though Facebook opened up the platform to all developers earlier this week, no announcements about the changes it will bring to the programme have been made yet.
Those who agree to take part in the campaign are redirected to a petition on Change.org that talks about how a billion people in India have no access whatsoever to the internet and how Internet.org aims to change this. Here's the full text of the petition:
More than a billion people in India aren't connected to the internet. The mission of Internet.org is to get everyone in the world on the internet so they have more access to information, opportunities and innovations. A free and open internet brings us closer together and helps us solve problems, find jobs and discover new ideas. It lets us stay in touch with the people we care about wherever they are. A connected world is a better world.
Internet.org lets people view helpful websites without paying for data. There are websites for health, education, jobs, government and more. People can also use apps to share updates with family and friends. Internet.org can impact people in so many positive ways: a chicken farmer is able to sell more of his stock, an expectant mother can look up health information that will help her raise her child, and a student can find education services to study for exams. In fact, research has shown that for every billion people who gain access to the internet, more than 100 million rise out of poverty.
Internet.org works with service providers and developers to offer these free basic services, and people can choose which ones are most important to them. It's free to join and open to all.
By showing your support, you can help Internet.org continue providing internet access and opportunities to the people of India, including your friends, family and community. With more than one billion people in India getting onto the internet, we can help increase economic and social progress in the whole country and we can improve the lives of so many talented people who have so much to offer the world. Join us in our commitment to making India—and the world—more open and connected.
Interestingly, Facebook tricks users in the campaign by not mentioning the controversial Internet.org programme anywhere until they reach the Change.org petition. Even then, there is a possibility that many may not read the whole petition and sign up to support the campaign without realizing it is actually against the spirit of free internet.
In this petition, Facebook does not mention that it will throttle access to the internet for those who want to open websites beyond the 32 websites that have participated in the Internet.org initiative. Many organizations, including The Times Group, which had earlier signed up for Internet.org have since withdrawn from the programme.
The Change.org petition aims to rope in 1,50,000 members, with 1,04,400 people having already signed up for it.
The new campaign, started earlier this week, aims to make the social network's users believe that the Internet.org platform is actually 'free internet.'
However, Internet.org has been widely panned as being against the principles of net neutrality as it allows users to access only websites that have signed up for the platform, while blocking access to those that did not join the Facebook initiative. Though Facebook opened up the platform to all developers earlier this week, no announcements about the changes it will bring to the programme have been made yet.
Those who agree to take part in the campaign are redirected to a petition on Change.org that talks about how a billion people in India have no access whatsoever to the internet and how Internet.org aims to change this. Here's the full text of the petition:
More than a billion people in India aren't connected to the internet. The mission of Internet.org is to get everyone in the world on the internet so they have more access to information, opportunities and innovations. A free and open internet brings us closer together and helps us solve problems, find jobs and discover new ideas. It lets us stay in touch with the people we care about wherever they are. A connected world is a better world.
Internet.org lets people view helpful websites without paying for data. There are websites for health, education, jobs, government and more. People can also use apps to share updates with family and friends. Internet.org can impact people in so many positive ways: a chicken farmer is able to sell more of his stock, an expectant mother can look up health information that will help her raise her child, and a student can find education services to study for exams. In fact, research has shown that for every billion people who gain access to the internet, more than 100 million rise out of poverty.
Internet.org works with service providers and developers to offer these free basic services, and people can choose which ones are most important to them. It's free to join and open to all.
By showing your support, you can help Internet.org continue providing internet access and opportunities to the people of India, including your friends, family and community. With more than one billion people in India getting onto the internet, we can help increase economic and social progress in the whole country and we can improve the lives of so many talented people who have so much to offer the world. Join us in our commitment to making India—and the world—more open and connected.
Interestingly, Facebook tricks users in the campaign by not mentioning the controversial Internet.org programme anywhere until they reach the Change.org petition. Even then, there is a possibility that many may not read the whole petition and sign up to support the campaign without realizing it is actually against the spirit of free internet.
In this petition, Facebook does not mention that it will throttle access to the internet for those who want to open websites beyond the 32 websites that have participated in the Internet.org initiative. Many organizations, including The Times Group, which had earlier signed up for Internet.org have since withdrawn from the programme.
The Change.org petition aims to rope in 1,50,000 members, with 1,04,400 people having already signed up for it.
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