Changes

In 2015 September, Internet.org was renamed "Free Basics by Facebook", to highlight the significance of its overhauls. With the renaming came a revamped website, moved from Internet.org to FreeBasics.com, and featuring options for location targeting. This allowed users in Asia, Africa, and Latin America could choose the serves they wishes to activate and access in their region.<ref name="sigh">[http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/24/free-basics-by-facebook/ http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/24/free-basics-by-facebook/ 'Free Basics by Facebook' replaces Internet.org website and app], Engadget.com. Published 2015 September 24. Retrieved 2016 April 23.</ref>

In 2015 September, Internet.org was renamed "Free Basics by Facebook", to highlight the significance of its overhauls. With the renaming came a revamped website, moved from Internet.org to FreeBasics.com, and featuring options for location targeting. This allowed users in Asia, Africa, and Latin America could choose the serves they wishes to activate and access in their region.<ref name="sigh">[http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/24/free-basics-by-facebook/ http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/24/free-basics-by-facebook/ 'Free Basics by Facebook' replaces Internet.org website and app], Engadget.com. Published 2015 September 24. Retrieved 2016 April 23.</ref>

The rebrand and new Free Basics app also supported secure [[HTTPS]] services, and included privacy language "so that users will know what data will be collected". Users were also given the option on the app or mobile web version to add a number of free services, provided from a list of more than 250 providers.

The rebrand and new Free Basics app also supported secure [[HTTPS]] services, and included privacy language "so that users will know what data will be collected". Users were also given the option on the app or mobile web version to add a number of free services, provided from a list of more than 250 providers.<ref name="opening">[http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/facebook-opens-up-internet-org-with-new-free-basics-apps/ Facebook renames Internet.org as ‘Free Basics’, offers open platform for developers], IndianExpress.com. Published 2015 September 27. Retrieved 2016 April 23.</ref>

==Criticisms & Controversies==

==Criticisms & Controversies==

When Facebook first began operations in India, only 15% of its population of 1.1 billion people had access to the internet.<ref name="youtube"></ref> While Free Basics' potential in India seemed large, it was from the country in 2016 February, "discriminatory tariffs for data services", aka zero rating".<ref name="india">[http://www.engadget.com/2016/02/08/india-bans-zero-rating-internet-schemes/ India bans Facebook's 'Free Basics' service], EnGadget.com. Published 2016 February 8. Retrieved 2016 April 20.</ref> This came after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) called for Reliance Communications, Facebook's Indian telecom partner, to stop Free Basics in 2015 December. In response, the company reportedly spent millions on advertising and had an op-ed published by CEO Mark Zuckerberg in the Times of India.<ref name="india"></ref>

When Facebook first began operations in India, only 15% of its population of 1.1 billion people had access to the internet.<ref name="youtube"></ref> While Free Basics' potential in India seemed large, it was from the country in 2016 February, "discriminatory tariffs for data services", aka zero rating".<ref name="india">[http://www.engadget.com/2016/02/08/india-bans-zero-rating-internet-schemes/ India bans Facebook's 'Free Basics' service], EnGadget.com. Published 2016 February 8. Retrieved 2016 April 20.</ref> This came after the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) called for Reliance Communications, Facebook's Indian telecom partner, to stop Free Basics in 2015 December. In response, the company reportedly spent millions on advertising and had an op-ed published by CEO Mark Zuckerberg in the Times of India.<ref name="india"></ref>

This main criticism -- that Free Basics had a limited number of partners and only a single service provider -- was one that Facebook contested. According to Chris Daniels, Vice President of Internet.org, "There is no exclusivity with Reliance in India. There are other telecom operators who are interested, but it seems the criticism has slowed down the conversation. Reliance is just our first partner in India and there are countries where we have multiple partners."<ref name="opening">[http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/facebook-opens-up-internet-org-with-new-free-basics-apps/ Facebook renames Internet.org as ‘Free Basics’, offers open platform for developers], IndianExpress.com. Published 2015 September 27. Retrieved 2016 April 23.</ref>

This main criticism -- that Free Basics had a limited number of partners and only a single service provider -- was one that Facebook contested. According to Chris Daniels, Vice President of Internet.org, "There is no exclusivity with Reliance in India. There are other telecom operators who are interested, but it seems the criticism has slowed down the conversation. Reliance is just our first partner in India and there are countries where we have multiple partners."<ref name="opening"></ref>

Facebook also notes that all developers are free to add to their apps to the Free Basics platform, as long as they meet technical criteria.<ref name="opening"></ref>

Facebook also notes that all developers are free to add to their apps to the Free Basics platform, as long as they meet technical criteria.<ref name="opening"></ref>