Facebook’s free Internet not that great – Report
A report from Global Voices has found that Facebook’s Free Basics Internet service is primarily aimed at enhancing Facebook’s business model.
Free Basics is a mobile service aimed at “bringing Internet access and the benefits of connectivity to the portion of the world that doesn‘t have them”.
Free Basics provides people with access to certain websites for free – including news, jobs, health and education information, and tools like Facebook.
The report stated that while limited access is better than nothing, Facebook and its partners can do better.
“The Internet offered by Free Basics is bound by limitations that are largely artificial,” said Global Voices.
It said Facebook built a closed environment where it has control over data.
“This limits the reach of the application and prevents users from browsing freely, and creates potential disincentives to participation for Facebook’s competitors.”
“All of this happens primarily in the service of Facebook’s business model, which rests upon collection of data from users of its platform and other products.”
Global Voices is skeptical that this technology is serving as an “on ramp” to using the Internet.
Key findings from Global Voices
- Free Basics does not meet the linguistic needs of target users.
- Free Basics features little local content, but plenty of corporate services from the US and UK.
- It does not include an email platform.
- Free Basics doesn’t connect you to the global Internet, violating net neutrality principles.
- The content offered via Free Basics will not meet the pressing needs of those who are not online.
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