back to article Oh, Zuck off: Facebook under attack for its attacks on net neutrality

A group of 30 non-profits and net neutrality advocates have posted a snippy open letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg complaining about his "attacks" on Indian internet users. Last month, the social media giant's Free Basics program, which provides free access to specific internet websites and services, was paused in India …

  1. Graham Marsden

    "the 30 advocacy groups – only five of which are based in India"

    And how many are based in Egypt? None? Oh, well then they clearly shouldn't object to FB doing anything in Egypt, should they? In fact they obviously shouldn't object to *anything* happening in *any* country that they're not based in...

    > We're not a small, vocal group, complains the small, vocal group

    The "small, vocal group" which probably has an awful lot of members all around the world, people who are interested in everyone having access to the internet (and that's *all* the internet, not just the walled garden that Zuck wants you to pay to step outside of).

    > "[...] unfounded and divisive attacks" – like the one they just launched into"

    Hmm, I'm wondering if El Reg has Another Opinion-holder who writes articles that should be entitled "Opinion" rather than being presented as fact...

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: "the 30 advocacy groups – only five of which are based in India"

      Are you new here?

    2. dotdavid

      Re: "the 30 advocacy groups – only five of which are based in India"

      >> the 30 advocacy groups – only five of which are based in India

      > And how many are based in Egypt? None?

      There are no groups in Egypt in the same way that there are no gay people in Russia.

  2. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Why would anyone believe a sociopath like Zuckerberg?

    When has he ever done anything but put Facebook's business interests first?

    If he really wanted to help the world's poor, he'd be focusing on food, shelter, healthcare & ways for the people to sustain these things, with say, a way to make a living. Access to Facebook is of zero importance.

    1. adnim
      Thumb Up

      Re: Why would anyone believe a sociopath like Zuckerberg?

      Fuckin A1.

      Wish I could up vote you a Google(plex)

      The icon "love it" is for the AC I replied to... Not for the Zuckshits delusions on what makes for a happy self sustaining community.

      1. werdsmith Silver badge

        Re: Why would anyone believe a sociopath like Zuckerberg?

        If Zuckerberg just gave Facebook away so it isn't owned by a corporation.

        Like the internet itself is not theoretically owned by an entity although it could be said that US hegemony has it in its pocket. Email, SMS, www, all stand without corporate dominance.

        So when I hear a media outlet say "for more information see our facebook page" as if faecebook is one of our essential utilities and we are all expected to use it, I feel like puking.

        1. gotes

          Re: Why would anyone believe a sociopath like Zuckerberg?

          So when I hear a media outlet say "for more information see our facebook page" as if faecebook is one of our essential utilities and we are all expected to use it, I feel like puking

          Ditto Twitter. The non-commercial BBC which makes great efforts to remove any branding from on screen products and has presenters saying things like "a popular supermarket chain" have no problem promoting these commercial social networking sites.

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    The Californian ideology

    Not surprisingly, Zuck is operating by the Californian ideology. American neoliberalism + Quixotic technological determinism + Randian anti-statism.

    The Californian ideology will lead to only one logical outcome: Revolution.

    1. Martin Ouseley

      Re: The Californian ideology

      Que?

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Then there's something about a "paradigm," but it is official Reg policy not to read any sentence that includes the word "paradigm," so we can't tell you what it says.

    I too have an aversion to management speak or bullshit ever since a project manager uttered the phrase "synchronizational drift"

    Does Zuck the schmuck actually believe his own bullshit? I mean "Free Basics" saying it supports net neutrality is like Donald Trump saying he supports more immigrants.

    1. Chris Harden

      I tried searching Google for "Synchronizational Drift" - the top hit was your comment (impressed) and there are some patents for a Remote Gas Molecule Detector, which I feel is highly appropriate for the context of the term.

  5. Mage Silver badge
    Big Brother

    Free Basics

    Smells.

    If it can provide access to 100 sites, why not all?

    Who chooses the 100 lucky sites?

    This isn't Internet Access at all, but a Facebook Trojan?

    1. Robert Helpmann??
      Childcatcher

      Re: Free Basics

      Well, we all know how well this approach worked for AOL...

    2. James Wilson

      Re: Free Basics

      Well, because they have to meet certain criteria, mainly about limiting the amount of data being used because FB is paying for it. They're aiming this at people who can't afford full internet access, if someone can come up with a way of providing everyone in India with that it would be way better, but until then it's a choice between a walled garden and no garden at all. I know which of those I'd go for.

      1. Jonathan Richards 1
        Stop

        Re: Free Basics

        'Walled garden' is much too cosy, as a name. Walled, certainly, but garden? As an inhabitant (inmate), you can't grow anything, you can't even choose what gets grown, and you can't get out. There are much grimmer nouns than 'garden' which fit much better.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: Free Basics

          Walled garden - Gardens are nice

          Gilded cage - Gilding is decorative

          How about 'walled cage', 'penal platform', 'corporate prison', 'app gulag', 'curated slavery', iAuschwitz ... Australia?

        2. James Wilson

          Re: Free Basics

          Sigh. OK, if that term isn't to everyone's liking, how about 'limited internet is better than no internet'? So people who are too poor to be able to afford an internet connection can access sites like Malaria No More, Social Blood and Maya (and yes, unfortunately Facebook).

          1. Martin Ouseley

            Re: Free Basics

            Not if it's tied to Facebook.

      2. myarse
        Angel

        Re: Free Basics

        "but until then it's a choice between a walled garden and no garden at all. I know which of those I'd go for." So do i and it involves socialising by speaking to people rather than liking someone on Facebook.

  6. Chris G

    It'a garden

    Because Zuck is trying to grow his own Indian internet and knowing little about gardening he thinks he has to spread shit over it to make it grow.

    He can see an opportunity here for setting a precedent, if he gets away with it look out the rest of the third world and possibly everyone else. Fortunately the Indians are far from stupid so he is unlikely to get away with it.

    Interesting that Kieran thinks thirty odd organizations and a million people are a small voice, he would do well in politics.

  7. allthecoolshortnamesweretaken

    " ... but it is official Reg policy not to read any sentence that includes the word "paradigm," ... "

    Fine. Now if El Reg could stop writing sentences that include the words disrupt or disruption...

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