New York: Social networking giant Facebook is rebranding its Internet.org programme, which was in the midst of a controversy over alleged violation of Net neutrality, to ‘Free Basics’, reports PTI.
Armed with more services and stronger security measures, the rebranding will help Facebook distinguish the free basic Internet offering from the large number of activities the US-based company is pursuing to help get new users online across the globe.
The announcement comes days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Facebook’s campus in California on September 27.
India has over 8 lakh users of the Internet.org initiative that has been in the thick of the Net neutrality debate.
Facebook faced criticism for launching the platform as it is seen violating the principle of Net neutrality, which is against any priority being accorded to an entity in the Internet traffic flow because of payments to service providers such as telecom companies.
