ZUCKERBERG DISAPPOINTED, BUT WON’T GIVE UP ON INTERNET. ORG

Expressing disappointment on India's decision on net neutrality, Facebook founder and chief Mark Zuckerberg has said he is committed to keep working to break down connectivity barriers in India and around the world.

“Internet. org has many initiatives, and we will keep working until everyone has access to the internet,” Zuckerberg said in a post on the Facebook yesterday, his first reaction to the ruling of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( TRAI) on net neutrality.. Backing Net neutrality, telecom watchdog TRAI yesterday barred operators from charging different rates for Internet access based on content, dealing a blow to Facebook's controversial Free Basics and other such plans. Facebook's Free Basics plan came in from major criticism from experts who alleged that it curbed one's freedom to access the internet of their choice. “Today India's telecom regulator decided to restrict programmes that provide free access to data. This restricts one of Internet. org's initiatives, Free Basics, as well as programmes by other organisations that provide free access to data,” Zucerberg said.

“I want to personally communicate that we are committed to keep working to break down barriers to connectivity in India and around the world,” he said.

Zuckerberg claimed that Facebook's work with Internet. org around the world has already improved many people's lives.