Poke Me: Facebook's attempts to create a walled-in ghetto puts the actual aim of democratising the Internet in danger (Readers react)

This week's Poke Me invited your comments on "Poke Me: In Your Face, Zuckerberg". Here are the selected opinions that were published in the ET print edition on Saturday. (Read full article)

Avinash Pamnani

Facebook’s Free Basics is like East India Co of the 21st century. It is a big threat to internet freedom. Net neutrality must be protected by all means. This move clearly depicts their commercial and political interest and is prone to misuse.

Ashok Goswami

Mark Zuckerberg is trying to control the free flow of the internet and netizens have opposed this vigorously. The government had to intervene to let the status quo prevail. Instead of regulating the net, Facebook should concentrate on enhancing online security. Chandrasekaran Krishnamurthy Net neutrality is definitely an issue. In India, however, the priority is to make internet available across the country. BSNL and MTNL with basic infrastructure would be a natural choice as worthy partners for Digital India to ensure effective control of the government for successful implementation.

M S Vaidyanathan

Mere change of name to ‘Free Basics’ does not mean everything is free in letter and spirit. Mark Zuckerberg must walk the talk to ensure credibility and for enlisting support for his initiative. However, much depends on the firmness of the government and lawmakers to foil his dubious plan.

POKE ME will appear every Saturday. The article will first appear on www.economictimes. com every Wednesday morning. Do check what we poke you next with on November 11