Reference no: EM132198723

Crusading to bring every single human being online, Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg had partnered with leading technological companies and launched internet.org in August 2013. With active support from local governments, the internet.org initiative had brought basic internet facilities to the countries of Zambia, Paraguay, Indonesia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Philippines. Championing the cause of internet connectivity for economic betterment, Zuckerberg understood the crucial market presented by India and other developing countries for its future growth opportunity. Mixing business with philanthropy, Facebook’s Internet.org initiative was lauded as well as criticised by many. Critics had termed this initiative as ‘venture humanitarianism’ and ‘Facebook's gateway drug’. Moreover, scathing remarks were also made for creating a monopoly portal and ignoring the principle of net neutrality. The initiative was considered as a ploy to get more users to boost the company’s bottom line for future growth prospects. Amidst this backdrop, it would be interesting to watch whether the initiative would altruistically deliver on the promise of a connected world with assured economic prosperity or work only in favor of the organisation to mine the fortunes at the bottom of the pyramid?

These are the three case questions. You do not have to answer these questions but use these questions to direct your analysis and post your stance on the forum.

Give a brief outline of Facebook's Internet.org's initiative.

Discuss the impact on emerging economies

Was the internet.org initiative really about serving the bottom of the pyramid or was it more about FB trying to expand its reach? Analyse.