India Bans Facebook’s Free Website Service

But critics say that Zuckerberg’s flagship project of offering universal mobile connectivity to India’s poorest through lightweight versions of Facebook and other websites provides preferential treatment to some internet-based services over others. “This restricts one of Internet.org’s initiatives, Free Basics, as well as programmes by other organizations that provide free access to data” the 31-year-old billionaire posted on Tuesday.

“Keeping in View India’s large number of internet users and content producers, both of which are rising exponentially, the Authority has taken a view that prohibition of discriminatory tariff for data services is necessary to ensure that service providers continue to fulfill their obligations in keeping the internet open and non-discriminatory”. As a effect, Free Basics of Facebook is no more an option, and the same goes for any zero-rated internet service. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg promised the ruling will not deter the social media giant’s plan to provide free Web access.

“The people who live in cities and are aggressive users of the internet said: “You can’t dictate the terms, give free internet to villagers and then tell them how to use it”, he said.

“We know that connecting them can help lift people out of poverty, create millions of jobs and spread education opportunities”, Zuckerberg said.

However, he has said he will not give up on breaking down connectivity barriers in India which he described as an important goal for his company. We care about these people, and that’s why we’re so committed to connecting them. “We will keep connecting the world”. “That mission continues, and so does our commitment to India”, he said.

The regulator, the TRAI has now banned the practice of charging different rates for mobile data services for different internet services, except in emergencies.

“While we’re disappointed with today’s decision”, he wrote.

The World Wide Web Foundation, founded by Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the web, welcomed the regulator’s decision. This would, in turn, undermine net neutrality.

Additionally it was not just Facebook that was disappointed with TRAI’s verdict, but COAI as well.