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‘Free Internet’ for Millions of Egyptians by Facebook Suspended

December 31, 2015
Social media was seen as an important tool of dissent during the 2011 revolution in Egypt, during the (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Facebook’s ‘Free Basics’ internet program, which had been providing free basic Internet services to more than three million Egyptians, was shut down on Wednesday reported the Associated Press. In statements to AP, Facebook said that the program, which was launched two months ago, would no longer be available in Egypt. “We’re disappointed that Free Basics will no longer be available in Egypt,” said Facebook to AP. “More than 1 million people who were previously unconnected had been using the Internet because of these efforts.” In statements to Reuters, an official from Egypt’s Telecommunications Ministry told Reuters that the service had been shut down after a permit required from the government was not renewed. The official added that the permit to offer the service had been granted for two months and that when it expired on Wednesday the Facebook Free Basics program was suspended. The official stressed that the suspension was not related to any security concerns, reported Reuters. Facebook’s Free Basics program was launched with Etisalat Egypt. The service, which has attracted much controversy, provides users with free access to select websites on mobile phones. In India, opponents have argued…


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