‘Critics say Facebook’s Internet.org ‘violates free speech and privacy” – ‘Mashable’

JP Mangalindan says, “Internet.org, the Facebook-backed service that wants to bring free Internet to people in emerging markets, seemingly can’t catch a break.

More than 60 civic and digital liberty groups from 28 countries signed an open letteraddressed to Mark Zuckerberg on Monday contending that Internet.org in its present state violates net neutrality, thereby “threatening freedom of expression, equality of opportunity, security, privacy and innovation.”

Internet.org, which Zuckerberg launched in 2013, partners with local telecomm companies and developers to offer a free, basic Internet experience with access to things like Facebook, Wikipedia and BBC News. Facebook disclosed earlier this year that Internet.org has helped more than 7 million people across six countries so far — Columbia, India, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya and Ghana — and wants to be in 100 countries by the end of this year“.

Critics say Facebook’s Internet.org ‘violates free speech and privacy’