"Free Basics," formerly known as Internet.org, offers a free, stripped-down version of the Internet to consumers who cannot afford a broadband connection or smartphone data plan.<br />By offering a limited number of apps, and transmitting as little data as possible, costs are minimized.<br />Critics say the program violates the central tenets of net neutrality, which stipulate that all Internet content and users should be treated equally.<br />Zuckerberg pushed back against these critics on Monday, addressing the issue in an op-ed published in the Times of India.<br />He said the "Free Basics" platform is open to all software developers, has no advertisements and will help less fortunate users escape poverty.<br />"Instead of wanting to give people access to some basic internet services for free, critics of the program continue to spread false claims -- even if that means leaving behind a billion people," the Facebook CEO wrote.
