Facebook rebrands Internet.org as Free Basics, adds new features

Facebook is rebranding its Internet.org service as Free Basics. The service which aims to offer free Internet connection is now live in 19 different countries and India is also among one of them. While Facebook didn’t explain why it is rebranding the service, but the new brand still fails to answer the net neutrality questions.

Internet.org or Free Basics is a free platform which allows poor users to access web contents free of cost. The company has partnered with carriers to offer this free Internet facility. It basically work as a proxy between users and the Internet. Along with this rebranding, Facebook has also announced that it will now use HTTPS in URLs to encrypt the data.

And for those who are thinking about privacy, Internet.org has already revealed in its data retention police, that it will never collect any data, including the domain name information or the device information.

Facebook has also partnered with 30 new developers to offer better services in India. These new developers include Mera Doctor, M-Kisan, SkyMet and many more. There are over 60 new free services too. Users can easily enable these services from the Free Basic Mobile App or Website.

Internet.org app will be now called Free Basics by Facebook. Over one billion people across Asia, Latin America and Africa are using Internet.org to access the Internet.

While the free Internet service looks good, but it is injustice for the paid developers. I mean, those who agree to offer their services free of cost will attract more users than the ones who are still on the paid module.