In 2013, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the launch of Internet.org, a global initiative aimed at making the internet accessible to everyone, particularly in developing countries. The project was ambitious, with the goal of connecting the world’s population to the internet and bridging the digital divide. However, despite its promising start, Internet.org faced numerous challenges and criticisms, ultimately leading to its rebranding and shift in focus.
The Birth of Internet.org
Internet.org was launched in August 2013, with the goal of making the internet accessible to the two-thirds of the world’s population that did not have access to it. The initiative was a collaboration between Facebook and several other technology companies, including Ericsson, MediaTek, Nokia, Opera, Qualcomm, and Samsung. The project’s mission was to develop technologies that would make the internet more affordable and accessible, particularly in areas where internet penetration was low.
The Key Principles of Internet.org
Internet.org was built on three key principles:
- Availability: Making the internet available to everyone, regardless of their geographical location or income level.
- Affordability: Reducing the cost of internet access to make it more affordable for people in developing countries.
- Relevance: Ensuring that the internet was relevant to people’s lives, by providing them with access to information and services that were useful to them.
The Criticisms of Internet.org
Despite its promising start, Internet.org faced numerous criticisms and challenges. One of the main criticisms was that the initiative was not truly free, as users were only able to access a limited number of websites and services, including Facebook, Wikipedia, and a few other select sites. This led to accusations that Internet.org was not providing a truly open and neutral internet experience, but rather a curated and limited one.
The Net Neutrality Debate
The net neutrality debate was a major point of contention for Internet.org. Critics argued that the initiative was violating the principles of net neutrality, by providing preferential treatment to certain websites and services. This led to accusations that Internet.org was creating a “two-tiered” internet, where some websites and services were given priority over others.
The Indian Controversy
In 2015, Internet.org faced a major backlash in India, where the initiative was launched in partnership with the Indian telecom operator Reliance Communications. The launch was met with widespread criticism, with many accusing Internet.org of violating net neutrality principles. The controversy led to the withdrawal of several major Indian companies from the initiative, including the e-commerce giant Flipkart.
The Rebranding of Internet.org
In 2016, Facebook announced that it was rebranding Internet.org as “Free Basics.” The rebranding was seen as an attempt to address some of the criticisms of the initiative, by providing a more open and neutral internet experience. However, the rebranding did not address the underlying issues, and Free Basics continued to face criticism and controversy.
The Shift in Focus
In 2017, Facebook announced that it was shifting the focus of Free Basics from a global initiative to a more local and community-driven approach. The shift in focus was seen as an attempt to address some of the criticisms of the initiative, by providing a more tailored and relevant internet experience to local communities.
The Launch of Express Wi-Fi
In 2017, Facebook launched Express Wi-Fi, a new initiative aimed at providing fast and affordable internet access to underserved communities. Express Wi-Fi was seen as a more nuanced and community-driven approach to internet access, and was launched in partnership with local internet service providers and entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
Internet.org was a ambitious initiative that aimed to make the internet accessible to everyone. However, despite its promising start, the initiative faced numerous challenges and criticisms, ultimately leading to its rebranding and shift in focus. The controversy surrounding Internet.org highlights the complexities and challenges of providing internet access to underserved communities, and the need for a more nuanced and community-driven approach.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Internet.org is launched by Facebook and several other technology companies. |
| 2015 | Internet.org faces a major backlash in India, with several major companies withdrawing from the initiative. |
| 2016 | Facebook rebrands Internet.org as “Free Basics.” |
| 2017 | Facebook shifts the focus of Free Basics from a global initiative to a more local and community-driven approach. |
| 2017 | Facebook launches Express Wi-Fi, a new initiative aimed at providing fast and affordable internet access to underserved communities. |
In conclusion, the story of Internet.org is a complex and nuanced one, highlighting the challenges and controversies of providing internet access to underserved communities. While the initiative was ambitious and well-intentioned, it ultimately failed to deliver on its promises, and was rebranded and shifted in focus. However, the legacy of Internet.org lives on, and continues to shape the debate around internet access and net neutrality.
What was Internet.org and what was its goal?
Internet.org was a global initiative launched by Facebook in 2013, with the goal of making internet access available to everyone in the world. The initiative aimed to bring together technology leaders, non-profits, and local communities to develop and promote technologies that would make the internet more accessible and affordable for people in developing countries.
The initiative focused on developing countries where internet penetration was low, and the cost of internet access was high. Internet.org aimed to provide free or low-cost internet access to people in these countries, with the goal of bridging the digital divide and promoting economic development. The initiative also aimed to promote digital literacy and online safety, and to support the development of local online content.
What were the key features of Internet.org?
Internet.org had several key features that were designed to make internet access more accessible and affordable for people in developing countries. One of the key features was the development of a platform that allowed users to access a limited set of online services, including Facebook, Wikipedia, and other local content, for free. The platform was designed to be data-efficient, so that users could access online services without using up too much data.
Another key feature of Internet.org was the development of partnerships with local mobile operators and technology companies. These partnerships allowed Internet.org to offer free or low-cost internet access to users, and to promote the development of local online content. Internet.org also worked with local communities to promote digital literacy and online safety, and to support the development of local online services.
What were the criticisms of Internet.org?
Internet.org faced several criticisms, including concerns about net neutrality and the potential for the initiative to create a “walled garden” of online content. Some critics argued that the initiative’s focus on providing free access to a limited set of online services would create a two-tiered internet, where some users had access to a full range of online services, while others were limited to a restricted set of services.
Other critics argued that Internet.org was a way for Facebook to expand its user base and promote its own services, rather than a genuine effort to promote internet access and digital development. Some critics also raised concerns about the potential for Internet.org to compromise user data and online security, particularly in countries with limited regulatory oversight.
What was the impact of Internet.org on internet access in developing countries?
Internet.org had a significant impact on internet access in developing countries, particularly in the early years of the initiative. The initiative helped to promote the development of mobile internet infrastructure in many countries, and it provided free or low-cost internet access to millions of people. Internet.org also helped to promote digital literacy and online safety, and it supported the development of local online content.
However, the impact of Internet.org was not uniform, and the initiative faced significant challenges in many countries. In some countries, the initiative was criticized for creating a two-tiered internet, where some users had access to a full range of online services, while others were limited to a restricted set of services. In other countries, the initiative faced regulatory challenges, and it was forced to shut down or modify its services.
What led to the decline of Internet.org?
Internet.org declined in recent years due to a combination of factors, including regulatory challenges, criticism from net neutrality advocates, and changes in the global technology landscape. In 2016, the Indian government banned Internet.org’s Free Basics service, citing concerns about net neutrality. Similar bans were imposed in other countries, including Egypt and Indonesia.
The decline of Internet.org was also driven by changes in the global technology landscape. As mobile internet access became more widespread and affordable, the need for a separate initiative to promote internet access declined. Additionally, the rise of low-cost mobile devices and data plans made it possible for people in developing countries to access the internet without the need for a separate initiative like Internet.org.
What is the legacy of Internet.org?
The legacy of Internet.org is complex and multifaceted. On the one hand, the initiative helped to promote the development of mobile internet infrastructure in many countries, and it provided free or low-cost internet access to millions of people. Internet.org also helped to promote digital literacy and online safety, and it supported the development of local online content.
On the other hand, the initiative was criticized for creating a two-tiered internet, where some users had access to a full range of online services, while others were limited to a restricted set of services. The initiative also faced regulatory challenges, and it was forced to shut down or modify its services in many countries. Despite these challenges, Internet.org played an important role in promoting internet access and digital development in many countries.
What can be learned from the experience of Internet.org?
The experience of Internet.org provides several lessons for initiatives aimed at promoting internet access and digital development. One key lesson is the importance of promoting net neutrality and ensuring that all users have access to a full range of online services. Another key lesson is the need for initiatives to be responsive to local needs and concerns, and to work closely with local communities and stakeholders.
The experience of Internet.org also highlights the importance of regulatory frameworks that promote internet access and digital development, while also protecting user rights and promoting net neutrality. Finally, the experience of Internet.org shows that initiatives aimed at promoting internet access and digital development must be flexible and adaptable, and must be willing to evolve and change in response to changing circumstances.