Facebook has re-branded Internet.org as Free Basics. The app and web platform, providing access to over 250 services, is now live in 19 countries including India and will be part of the “larger objectives” of Internet.org.
Facebook has announced partnerships with 30 new developers in India for its Free Basic services such as English Dose, Mera Doctor, M-Kisan, My Rights, SkyMet among others. Free Basic users will also get access to 60 new free services. People using the app or mobile web version can navigate to a menu where they can select which services to add to their list of free services. They can also search for a service by name or description.
Facebook also said that it is adding support for HTTPS services on the web version as well. It said that even if the service you access only runs over HTTP, it will encrypt that information between company’s servers and any device that supports HTTPS. Internet.org now offers access to one billion people across Asia, Africa and Latin America. Anyone currently using the app will be able to continue using the Android app, though it will now be called Free Basics by Facebook in Google Play. And the mobile web version, which will redirect from the previous URL, can be accessed at FreeBasics.com.
Internet.org’s rebranding comes in the wake of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Facebook headquarters on the 27th of September where he will jointly speak at a townhall style meeting with Mr. Zuckerberg.