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Facebook is interested in bringing zero-rated "Free Basics" Internet access to Americans, after its failure in India:
Facebook has been in talks for months with U.S. government officials and wireless carriers with an eye toward unveiling an American version of an app that has caused controversy abroad, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. The social media giant is trying to determine how to roll out its program, known as Free Basics, in the United States without triggering the regulatory scrutiny that effectively killed a version of the app in India earlier this year. If Facebook succeeds with its U.S. agenda for Free Basics — which has not been previously reported — it would mark a major victory for the company as it seeks to connect millions more to the Web, and to its own platform.
The U.S. version of Free Basics would target low-income and rural Americans who cannot afford reliable, high-speed Internet at home or on smartphones. The app does not directly pay for users' mobile data. Rather, it allows users to stretch their data plans by offering, in partnership with wireless carriers, free Internet access to resources such as online news, health information and job leads.
Also at Ars Technica, CBS, USA Today, and CNET.
(Score: 2, Insightful) by FunkyLich on Saturday October 08 2016, @06:13PM
I just spent some minutes just to understand what this "Free Basics" is. And what it turned out to be was some smartphone app that is called "Free Basics".
What a waste of my time reading details on how some company of the 'Internet Bubble 2.0' kind is trying to convince the government on having a monitoring and surveillance programme be not only legal but also government backed and promoted. In TFA is also mentioned that this app is already doing its thing in 49 countries. I wonder which ones are these countries that have such a low esteem (or high distrust) for their own population?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday October 08 2016, @07:22PM
Its not about trust, money, or public service. Its about control, and the powerful in all countries realize that data mining their citizens will help them stay in power. Is the happiness quotient too low? Roll out some perks, maybe spread around a little money, and they're back in business with a citizenry that isn't quite ready to get their pitchforks.