Facebook Hopes Renaming Internet.org App Will Shut Net Neutrality Critics Up

from the it's-only-bad-when-other-people-do-it dept

Mon, Sep 28th 2015 11:41am — Karl Bode

Facebook is trying its best to defuse worries that the company is trying to impose a bizarre, walled-garden vision of the Internet upon the developing world. As we've been discussing, Facebook's Internet.org initiative has been under fire of late in India, where the government has been trying to not only define net neutrality, but craft useful rules. Early policy guidelines have declared Internet.org to be little more than glorified collusion, since while it does offer limited access to some free services, it involves Facebook determining which services users will be able to access (and encrypted content wasn't on the Facebook approval list).

Initially, Facebook's response to these concerns was tone deafness. Mark Zuckerberg proclaimed that net neutrality supporters worried about Facebook's plans were extremists who were hurting the poor. But in more recent weeks Facebook has been softening its stance, allowing a broader range of content on board the free service, and also renaming the Internet.org app in the hopes of blunting criticism:

"Today the company said it will change the name of its Internet.org app and mobile website, now available to mobile phone users in 18 countries, to Free Basics by Facebook. The change is intended to better distinguish the app and website from Internet.org, the larger initiative that spawned it and is incubating many technologies and business models to help get the web to new users faster."

And by "better distinguish," we mean help Facebook distance the app from criticism that the company is setting itself up as the gatekeeper to content in the developing world. To be fair, renaming it "free basics" and eliminating the "Internet.org" name does help clarify what Facebook's actually offering. And the company does appear to be opening the door to more content partners, and is working to ensure encrypted services will work "wherever possible." Still, many people still don't like the precedent set by letting Facebook be the gatekeeper for what's considered acceptable content, and argue that if Facebook really wanted to help the poor, it would offer subsidized real Internet access.

Other than changing the name and opening the Facebook gates slightly wider, the company is showing no sign that it plans to back off the core idea behind the Internet.org initiative. It also shows no sign that it actually understands why some critics are troubled by Facebook's vision. Former FCC Commissioner Kevin Martin (a huge friend to US telcos during his tenure) is now Facebook's vice-president for mobile and global access policy (read: global lobbyist), and recently declared that Facebook couldn't be a bigger friend to net neutrality:

"When users purchase internet access, they should be able to go where they want to, and that concept of net neutrality rules in context of operators who originally wanted to sell different tiers of speeds to consumers so that certain services can be accessed on a faster basis....He said that Facebook supports the concept of net neutrality and its program internet.org is to enable people to realize the importance of internet by providing access to basic web service free of data cost."

In short, that's a former FCC boss with no credibility on the subject basically implying that Facebook couldn't possibly be violating net neutrality, since that's something only a telecom operator can do. Facebook still apparently believes that nobody is bright enough to see past its shiny veneer of altruism to realize that the company is trying to corner developing nation advertising and content markets for the next thirty years. Hopefully more intelligent and nuanced thinking prevails, and those purportedly so desperate to help the poor will ultimately decide to do so by offering dirt-cheap Internet access, not a bastardized, AOL-esque vision of the Internet buried under layers of cheap public relations paint.

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Filed Under: free basics, india, internet access, internet.org, net neutrality, zero rating
Companies: facebook, internet.org

32 Comments

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lars626 (profile), 28 Sep 2015 @ 12:02pm

Retreads
As I read I intended to make a comment, until I got to the last sentence referring to AOL. Oh well, no comment on that.

Then it occurred to me that Mr. Z, the perpetually clueless twerp, could not even come up with a new bad idea. He had to take an old bad idea and try to make it work a second time.
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Sep 2015 @ 12:09pm

Why the proposal has traction.
What's not to like about the proposal, a controlled Internet for the masses, and freedom of Information for the Elites.
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I_see_it_both_ways, 28 Sep 2015 @ 12:30pm

can you really complain about free?
The argument I see all the time is, Facebook is giving free access, and something free but limited is better than unrestricted nothing. And I have a hard time refuting that. Sure they're trying to corner a market, but it's still coming out of their pockets. Bandwidth does cost money, and limited what can be accessed (like no high res images) does keep their bill lower. Add to that they're also turning about on some senseless restrictions like the encryption thing. If the question is, walled garden or no garden, which do you say is better?
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Sep 2015 @ 12:33pm

> and is incubating many technologies and business models

They've already weaponized many business models, and they're hoping further research will lead to aerosolized versions to keep their walled garden growing.
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Sep 2015 @ 12:38pm

Considering Facebook is willing to censor discussion they don't like, the fears are founded.

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/09/27/angela-merkel-caught-on-hot-mic-pressing-facebook-ceo-over-an ti-immigrant-posts.html
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jlaprise (profile), 28 Sep 2015 @ 12:57pm

You're way off on this one Karl. Facebook certainly has commercial interests but I don't see anyone else with similar resources extending access to the unconnected billions. Also realise that this is essentially a walled garden within a state-imposed walled garden. The name confusion issue that prompted the change is a red herring. Anyone who sees internet.org side by side with regular Internet will see the difference. I expect it to be a regular hacking target.

The net neutrality comment is completely non-contextual. Net neutrality means different things globally things globally and certainly in this case. The US & Indian telecommunications regulatory environment are very different.

Yes, it's a commercial service so Facebook gets to make decisions about it. Get over it.From the many discussions I've seen and participated in on this policy issue, this is a prime example of #firstworldproblems. Easy enough to complain about when you already have access.
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Sep 2015 @ 1:03pm

Always keep in mind
that Mark Zuckerberg is not only a filthy spammer, but a sociopathic monster. NOTHING he says can be trusted. NOTHING he does is for good of numanity.

So make sure to read these pronouncements from Facebook with that firmly in mind. Don't be fooled by their rhetoric and posturing: this is all about satiating Zuckerberg's lust for money and power, and that's ALL it's about.
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Teamchaos (profile), 28 Sep 2015 @ 1:09pm

Those poor folks in other countries are better off without any Internet than a limited version provided free by Facebook.

Let 'em eat cake! Net Neutrality or nothing at all!

If you agree with all of that, you've probably never visited a 3rd world country. You've had everything given to you and have no idea what it's like to have nothing.
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Sep 2015 @ 1:34pm

"firstworldproblem"
I don't mean to be blunt to Jlaprise, Teamchaos, or anyone else who believes this is a problem of having no idea what it's like to have nothing or a first world problem. However this is really an anti-competition problem. Nearly three quarters of the people in these countries think Facebook is the internet. How can they seek and fight for the real internet and all the publishing capabilities and journalism and other thing that it as to offer, if they believe they all ready have it?
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Karl Bode (profile), 28 Sep 2015 @ 1:40pm

Re: can you really complain about free?
"walled garden or no garden, which do you say is better?"

Telling people they need to choose Facebook's way or get nothing at all is a false choice.

Facebook doesn't operate in a vacuum, there's a huge amount of subsidized services being proposed that give access to the REAL Internet (Microsoft just announced the deployment of White Space broadband to 500,000 villages, Google just announced free Wi-Fi at train stations).

Because you don't like what Facebook's proposing doesn't mean you're effectively telling India's poor to go to hell.
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John Fenderson (profile), 28 Sep 2015 @ 1:42pm

Re: can you really complain about free?
"If the question is, walled garden or no garden, which do you say is better?"

But that's not the question. It's just a false dichotomy. One of the real problems (and not the largest one) is that buying into the walled garden automatically kills other, better ways of getting internet service to these areas.
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Karl Bode (profile), 28 Sep 2015 @ 1:43pm

Re:
"You're way off on this one Karl. Facebook certainly has commercial interests but I don't see anyone else with similar resources extending access to the unconnected billions."

Microsoft just announced plans to deploy white space broadband to 500,000 Indian villages in conjunction with the government. Google just announced plans to deploy free Wi-Fi to 400 Indian train stations.

"The US & Indian telecommunications regulatory environment are very different."

Sure are. The Indian government's initial report just got done declaring Facebook's zero rating ambitions are "collusion," where as in the US, we think the horrible precedent set by zero rating is just nifty.

"Yes, it's a commercial service so Facebook gets to make decisions about it. Get over it."

Gosh, guess that settles it and I'll just go in the corner and never talk about potential horrible precedents anymore since this is all apparently settled and Facebook is in the right. :)
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Karl Bode (profile), 28 Sep 2015 @ 1:46pm

Re:
"Those poor folks in other countries are better off without any Internet than a limited version provided free by Facebook."

Again, that's a false choice. Facebook doesn't operate in a vacuum. Wanting them to deliver the REAL Internet and encryption capabilities (which has countless benefits, of which I don't need to go in to) does not somehow automatically equate to wanting all of India's poor to go to hell without Internet.

That's Facebook's position too, and it's inane.
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Karl Bode (profile), 28 Sep 2015 @ 1:48pm

Re: Re: can you really complain about free?
You oppose being punched in the face, therefore you're clearly advocating no human interaction at all! Villain!
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jlaprise (profile), 28 Sep 2015 @ 1:54pm

Amazing how other market competitors are seeking to roll out competing services, isn't it? It will be interesting to see how they compare and how Facebook reacts.

Yes Karl, because we have a very different regulatory environment that comes in part from not having a state owned PTT in our history as well as a different idea of what constitutes collusion. Zero rating services would not work in the US because Internet is so common and abject poverty is relatively more unusual. The closest we get is airport wi-fi with pop-up ads.

No not at all. I'm in favor of getting people access. Period. Facebook is an imperfect solution and as you point out, one of many. But to criticize a for profit company for being, well, commercial is irrational.

I'm all for granting global ubiquitous broadband yesterday (and devices to access it) but that doesn't grow on trees.
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jlaprise (profile), 28 Sep 2015 @ 1:58pm

Re: "firstworldproblem"
Because all it takes is the first comparative exposure for new users to recognize the difference. The recognition problem is a temporary situation.

As for anti-competition, well, I'm sure that FB's partners competitors are even now looking for ways to compete in new ways. I'd call it a spur to innovation. It's too soon to call it anti-competitive.
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jlaprise (profile), 28 Sep 2015 @ 2:01pm

Re: Re:
On encryption in India:

This might be a bit of political finesse. In the last few weeks the Indian was mulling over the banning of encryption. If you were FB and it's local telco partner and were trying to stay on the Govt's good side, you'd not include encryption in the current environment.
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Anonymous Coward, 28 Sep 2015 @ 6:24pm

Facebook, the new AOL
I don't know why I use Facebook. I hate it, I hate everything Zuckerberg stands for. I wish it would collapse so I would quit using it.
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nasch (profile), 29 Sep 2015 @ 8:24am

Re:
Zero rating services would not work in the US because Internet is so common and abject poverty is relatively more unusual.

It seems to be well received in the mobile internet market.

http://www.techpolicydaily.com/internet/fccs-war-on-zero-rating/

I'm in favor of getting people access. Period.

You're in favor of access to something, no matter the drawbacks?

But to criticize a for profit company for being, well, commercial is irrational.

If you believe that is the criticism, then you have completely misunderstood the article.
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jlaprise (profile), 29 Sep 2015 @ 8:46am

Re: Re:
Yes, but zero rating in the US is of a whole different character. It targets existing Internet users whereas in India it's targeting users who don't have Internet access because they can't afford it.

Drawbacks? I've heard a lot of FUD but not very much in concrete harms. The only exception to that being the weak security but the Indian government and it's policies on encryption are more to blame than Facebook.

Perhaps. I've been talking about this subject since it first came up and contribute regularly in policy discussions. The final paragraph is more of an angry rant than anything else.
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nasch (profile), 29 Sep 2015 @ 9:08am

Re: Re: Re:
Drawbacks? I've heard a lot of FUD but not very much in concrete harms.

By "FUD" do you mean descriptions of something that could happen but hasn't yet? Is it only meaningful to you if it's a harm that's already taken place, so we can't criticize something until after it's already a disaster?

Did you see this story?

https://www.techdirt.com/blog/netneutrality/articles/20150519/07321731049/facebooks-plan-to-be -compuserve-developing-nations-faces-mounting-worldwide-criticism.shtml
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Moonkey, 29 Sep 2015 @ 9:14am

Re: Re: Re:
Here's a little idea for you.

Does it sound good that a for-profit company does things in the name of the people, especially very large companies? You know, like pharmaceutical companies, internet service providers, banks, social media.

Does it usually turn out good? No. It really doesn't.

While access is good, your terms that some access is better than no access is ridiculous because you stand yourself on the right that we should let for-profit companies make the decisions, especially those of Mark Zuckerberg.

He had a choice, go all the way and open access to the entirety of the internet, enduring anything that would get in his way, or go along with his business model.

I still think what he's doing now is better than what he did at first though, good on him for pushing for more access.

Also, we need reminders that people can live without the internet. I mean, we've been doing it before the dawn of man, living to the age of 90-100. Get things done right or not at all.
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Moonkey, 29 Sep 2015 @ 9:16am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
And I mean living to the age of 90-100 in the 1800s-1900s, hah. Not when we were primitive cavemen.
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jlaprise (profile), 29 Sep 2015 @ 9:19am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
And yet the disaster is only a hypothetical. I'm on board with the security issues but given the Indian government's views on encryption, Facebook's policies are more likely in place to political resistance than anything else. I'm not saying this is good for users but the blame properly belongs with the Indian government.

Yes I did.
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jlaprise (profile), 29 Sep 2015 @ 9:24am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
Certainly people can live without the Internet. However, it's a lot more expensive and that expense is amplified to those living in poverty. The difference between selling your harvest for a few more rupees because you know the comparative prices in neighboring villages is huge.

I'm not saying that it's a great solution or even good. I am saying that in the world of extending the Internet to the next billion users who largely live in poverty, it's one of the most significant games in town. I'm also saying that if it gives users an economic leg up, it's likely they will migrate to regular Internet service.
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Moonkey, 29 Sep 2015 @ 9:33am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
That's when we have to take into account the problems in India as it is, Poverty and disease. I do agree that the internet is extremely useful in remedying financial problems though, and helps with general knowledge of everything. You can sell your services, learn a few things, get a job, and learn about medical treatments, etc.

I really hope you're right though, while it's not so good in the long run, it really does support a lot of people. Let's hope India's government goes the final stretch and gets the internet out there for the rest.
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jlaprise (profile), 29 Sep 2015 @ 9:49am

Re: Re: can you really complain about free?
But even that is false. The "open" Internet of India is censored (see Citizen Lab research). It's walled garden or walled garden within walled garden.

I disagree that buying into the walled garden automatically kills other ways. Many tools are available.
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nasch (profile), 29 Sep 2015 @ 10:00am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
And yet the disaster is only a hypothetical.

Yes, that is the perfect time to avert it. After the disaster is no longer hypothetical, it becomes much harder.
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jlaprise (profile), 29 Sep 2015 @ 10:05am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Disagree. The "disaster" is the hyperbole of the haves.

Really, you're discussing Internet policy on Techdirt. That puts you in a very specific group of haves...
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nasch (profile), 29 Sep 2015 @ 10:44am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Disagree.

I assume by "disagree" you mean you disagree that there will be any disaster at all. You would be fine with the privacy, security, and vendor lock-in of Facebook's plan, or you think Facebook's internet access will be private, secure, and open?
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jlaprise (profile), 29 Sep 2015 @ 11:20am

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Disagree about the disaster. For reference comparison, so far in the history of the Internet, what would constitute disaster?

As it stands, Facebook's commitment to privacy and security for users is nonexistent. The policy of the Indian government is largely to blame for this. I'm not concerned with vendor lock-in because I trust users to learn and quickly the difference between full and walled garden Internet. I also am confident that FB's internet.org/freebasics.com will be hacked by users to enable broader access.

I am more concerned by unconnected users continuing lack of access than their privacy and security. Considering the lives that many of these people lead, their offline lives have considerably more risks to security and far greater threats to privacy than anything Facebook could present:

How concerned are people about child online protection if children are routinely trafficked, abused, impressed into the military? It's a question of perspective.
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RGS, 29 Nov 2015 @ 11:56am

Re: A Minor Correction
The article states that Kevin Martin is a former FCC commissioner. This is true- he first started serving in that capacity in 2001. However, the more salient fact is that he is a former FCC chairman (2005-2009).
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