Facebook announced today that it was opening up its Internet.org service to all sites, probably in response to criticism (including that from us), that it was selecting services, and playing kingmaker. It has announced its Internet.org platform. Along with the announcement comes more information on Internet.org, which brings to light fresh issues. So, now with full disclosures on what Internet.org is about, here's what we noticed about it: - It is an open platform that allows any company to sign up to be zero rated, wherein customers won't have to pay for accessing these sites, and websites will have to be approved to be allowed in. - Facebook will allow all types of low bandwidth services to sign up for the platform. - Websites do not pay Facebook to be included, operators do not charge developers - Services should not use VoIP, video, file transfer, high resolution photos, or high volume of photos. - No JavaScript or SSL/TLS/HTTPS - There will be bookmarked services, and a search option. Read this interview with Hindustan Times. For more of our exhaustive coverage of Net Neutrality issues in India, click here. Issues with the Internet.org Platform First up, no matter what Facebook says about Internet.org being a means of promoting Internet usage, it isn't. It's a fundamental, permanent change in the way the Internet works by splitting it into free vs paid access. It isn't the same as giving someone Rs 10 of data access or even 100 mb. It is a permanent…
