Facebook rebrands Internet.org to 'Free Basics’, expands Indian operations

Facebook has rebranded its Internet.org to 'Free Basics in a bid to ward off criticism and to expand its operations surreptitiously. In fact, Facebook has added 30 more developers in India for its `Free Basic' services, taking the total number to 80.

Internet.org vice president Chris Daniels announced the decision to rebrand the controversial product at facebook's Melbo Park, California headquarters in the presence of a small group of Indian journalists.

In fact, the rebranded Free Basics has announced partnerships with 30 basic application developers, including English language learning app English Dost, farm information provider  M-Kisan and healthcare app Mera Doctor.

It had earlier launched the service offering free access to 32 applications on the Reliance Communications network. Reliance users can access these applications and websites without paying for data usage.

Facebook is in talks with other telecom companies to take the initiative to a larger audience.

And, despite all criticism of self service in the name of free service, Facebook seems determined to test the rebranded Internet.org in India before it can be taken global.

Facebook's free basic services platform offers access to around 250 services, which are available in 19 countries across the globe, including India. Free Basics users will also get access to 60 new free services.

The announcement comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's town hall meet with Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg at the website's new campus.

Facebook will be hosting Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi in a bid to push its interests in India further.

To impress Indian policy makers, Zuckerberg has also written a post stating how a soybean farmer from rural Maharashtra 'makes better parenting decisions by accessing expert advice through the BabyCenter app for free through Internet.org.'

He further talks about the 'improvements' and the platform being 'open to all developers'.

Facebook is voluntarily offering encryption for the sake of security. ''We've improved the security and privacy of Internet.org. We already encrypt information everywhere possible, and starting today Internet.org also supports secure HTTPS web services as well,'' he added.

In India, the Department of Telecom and the telecom regulator are looking at whether the Facebook platform was against net neutrality.

DoT intervened following a long-running debate and massive public outrage that made many service providers like NDTV, Cleartrip and some properties of Times Group decided to part ways with Internet.org.