Below is a letter to all those concerned about the welfare of the Internet as a whole.
While I am unsure that Zuckerberg’s plan is immediately harmful to people, I do believe over time it will become more and more self serving… destructive… and ignorant of the needs of people.
That’s generally how it always goes with things of this nature.
- It would increase Facebook’s marketing power.
- It would increase Mark’s saleability with world leaders. Just like Indra Nooyi’s increased saleability with her healthy foods initiative.
- It’s great press.
- Facebook, or at least members of the organization, will get to act as gatekeepers of the internet. Entrenching themselves, while making it harder for others.
People in countries like India, Brazil, Zimbabwe, and Paraguay are outraged over Mark Zuckerberg’s plan to control what billions of soon-to-be Internet users do online.1,2
The Facebook CEO has hatched a plan with telecom giants around the world called Internet.org, which provides access to a fake Internet that only includes services hand-picked by Zuckerberg and his cronies.3
Billions will soon face Zuck’s fake Internet, which blocks the websites, apps, and services the rest of the world loves from being available on equal terms.4 And if we don’t stop it now, Internet users everywhere could one day be faced with the same thing.
To amplify the concerns of people around the world, today 65 organizations in 31 countries have released an open letter today opposing Zuck’s plan to control what billions do online by prioritizing some services over others on this fake Internet.5
And we need you to do your part. We all deserve access to the real open Internet. Stand with people around the world and demand Zuckerberg stops restricting access to the open Internet NOW.
Zuckerberg is facing a huge PR backlash about Internet.org.6,7 His image is important to him, so the more people speak out, the more pressure he’ll feel to do the right thing.
Global Internet users would much rather Zuck use his influence for good, and promote access to the real open Internet, not just his fake imitation.8 And it’s time you stand with them.
As Norman Mukwakwami from Zimbabwe writes:
“There are 60 social media platforms in Africa. I ask: how do we expect them to survive when users are charged more to use their platforms than they are charged to use the global giants of cyberspace?”9
To add insult to injury, there are actually great initatives to connect the unconnected to the joys of the open Internet, but Zuckerberg’s Internet.org has effectively sabotaged some of those efforts.10
Does this sound fair to you? Join NoFakeInternet.org now to ensure Zuck feels the heat. We all deserve access to the full, real open Internet.
Let’s stand together, and make their call louder.
–Josh, on behalf of OpenMedia
P.S., The fight for net neutrality is the fight for Internet freedom. We’re up against some of the most powerful companies in the world – but with your support, we can ensure the Internet remains an open platform that fuels the type of society we aspire to. Please consider donating today to help this campaign reach more people in countries around the world.
Footnotes
[1] Internet.not. Source: Huffington Post.
[2], [5] 65 groups from 31 countries speak out against Zuckerberg’s fake Internet project Source: OpenMedia.
[3], [4] Facebook’s Internet.org isn’t the Internet. It’s FacebookNet. Source: Wired.
[6] Facebook’s Internet.org sees defections over alleged harm to net neutrality. Source: ArsTechnica.
[7] How Telecoms And The Indian Government Stop Net Neutrality In Its Tracks. Source: TechCrunch.
[8] If the price of giving everyone internet access is total domination by Facebook, it’s not worth it. Source: The Guardian.
[9] Net non-neutrality on demand! Source: ICT Africa.
[10] Internet.org, the Panamanian case. Source: Digital Rights LAC.