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Line 84: − − 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>
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==Criticisms & Controversies==
==Criticisms & Controversies==
===Net Neutrality===
===Net Neutrality===
Since its launch in 2013, several net neutrality activists have criticized Free Basics for its "zero rating", which is the preferential treatment of certain websites or streaming services, over others. This results in an uneven playing field, and magnifies barriers to access on the Internet. Facebook's initiative does this by providing 'Free Basics', a collection of sites that relay weather, health and local data for users. <ref>[https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Internet.org+criticism Internet.org Criticism. Retrieved 12 Nov 2015.]</ref>
Since its launch in 2013, several net neutrality activists have criticized Free Basics for its "zero rating", which means offering preferential treatment of certain websites or streaming services over others. This main criticism -- that Free Basics had a limited number of partners and only a single service provider -- is one that Faceook has 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>
===Access Numbers & First-Time Users===
===Access Numbers & First-Time Users===
Nonetheless, in 2016 February, Free Basics was banned from the cotnyr for "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.
Nonetheless, in 2016 February, Free Basics was banned from the cotnyr for "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.
Following the shutdown, Facebook reportedly spent millions on advertising and had an op-ed published by CEO Mark Zuckerberg in the Times of India, entitled "Free Basics Protects Net Neutrality".<ref name="india"></ref><ref name="oped">[http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-edit-page/free-basics-protects-net-neutrality/ Free Basics Protects Net Neutrality], IndiaTimes.com. Published 2015 December 28. Retrieved 2016 April 23.</ref>
Following the shutdown, Facebook reportedly spent millions on advertising and had an op-ed published by CEO Mark Zuckerberg in the Times of India, entitled "Free Basics Protects Net Neutrality".<ref name="india"></ref><ref name="oped">[http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-edit-page/free-basics-protects-net-neutrality/ Free Basics Protects Net Neutrality], IndiaTimes.com. Published 2015 December 28. Retrieved 2016 April 23.</ref>