Informação jurídica inteligente
 Brasil | +55 (11) 31 81 77 29

Toward freer lands on the Internet

Document Citado por Related
Vincent
AutorMaria del Pilar Sáenz
Páginas71-74

Page 71

See note 31

Internet Service Providers in Latin America are increasing data plans that include free access to certain popular applications or not involving consumption of data plan. The "zero rating" arrived in the region and not all are happy.

Zero rating is a practice widely criticized for entering into conlict with the net neutrality principle, which is part of the guarantees to maintain free and open Internet. Overall, the offers are intended to increase the number of Internet users with promotions that appeal to a very speciic market segment: one that does not have much experience with technology and therefore, knows only the most popular services and uses them to interact in "social media" at the lowest possible cost.

In practice, when access to the Internet on equal terms to all is not guaranteed, problems begin to appear as the creation of "walled gardens" or virtual spaces where companies have control over applications or content available and the ability to restrict them. The "walled gardens" make it impossible for users to access all available information, creating a bias in their ability to make decisions.

Page 72

Competition problems also arise. If someone makes decisions about which programs, applications and/or resources are available, many other fall outside, including direct competitors and new proposals that have no way to reach potential users.

A third problem is the cultural involvement. In the past 30 years, a number of cultures around the net have emerged, which have fought to keep it free and open. An example is the hacker culture that is based on the principles of the hacker ethic: a set of values, which include the free access to knowledge and accessibility. The work of these communities is at the core of the Internet and all large companies who thrive in this ecosystem. Without free Internet access, this cycle runs the risk of being torn to pieces and, instead of curious and active individuals able to innovate, we will see more and more passive consumers that do not distinguish between Facebook and the Internet.

One of the irst countries for which we have information on the impact of zero rating is Paraguay, where Tigo, in partnership with Facebook, offers a free Facebook plan since a year ago. In February 2014, Mark Zuckerberg spoke about this cooperation at Mobile World Congress 2014 in Barcelona: "In Paraguay, we are working with Tigo, and they have also seen that the number of people using data...

Para continuar a ler

PEÇA SUA AVALIAÇÃO
Índice de navegação

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT