Facebook musters users' voice to defend Internet.Org in India

With just a week left for public comments on a DoT (Department of Telecommunications) panel's report, social networking site Facebook is mustering support of its users in India to defend its platform. The report says free Internet services like that of the social networks violate net neutrality principle.In a bid to make a case before lawmakers for allowing free Internet access platforms like Internet.Org, Facebook has started a public campaign.

Indian users of Facebook are getting a message on their profile page which seeks their opinion on having free basic online services in the country."Do you want India to have free basic online servicesIJ The mission of Internet.Org is to get everyone in the world online. Show your support for free basic online services in India," says the message, which pops up on a Facebook user's homepage.

“Soon India will decide on the future of services like Internet.Org. Please comment on this post today to help us tell your MPs that you want to connect everyone in India. IJ#IJconnectindiaIJ IJ#IJconnecttheworld,” the message says further. Many MPs, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and most of cabinet ministers, have their Facebook pages.