Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg reaffirms support for Net Neutrality

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg held an open Q&A on the website last night, calling the general public to discuss and question anything they had on their minds, and of course the topic of Net Neutrality came up. 

TechCrunch's Josh Constine posed a question, asking Zuckerberg what his stand on the issue is, and whether the recently launched Internet.org initiative violates that. Here's what the man himself had to say: 

Mark Zuckerberg Founder & CEO, Facebook

I think net neutrality is important to make sure network operators don't discriminate and limit access to services people want to use, especially in countries where most people are online. For people who are not on the internet though, having some connectivity and some ability to share is always much better than having no ability to connect and share at all. That’s why programs like Internet.org are important and can co-exist with net neutrality regulations.

Another Facebook user's question prompted Zuckerberg to confirm that Internet.org will also (eventually) make its way into Europe as well. "Yes, we want to bring Internet.org everywhere there are people who need to be connected. We're starting off by prioritizing the countries with the most unconnected people and by working with network operators and governments who are most excited about working with Internet.org to get everyone online in their countries."

Also read: Facebook and Reliance release 'Internet.org' in India

Internet.org is a free internet initiative launched by Facebook, to connect users in remote or underdeveloped parts of the world. Facebook is tying up with the governments and local telecom companies in the areas it is launching the initiative in order to bring a few basic net-based resources to users currently off the grid, for absolutely free. The service has already been launched in Ghana, Tanzania, Colombia, Zambia and Kenya, with the latest addition being a tie-up with Reliance Communications for an India launch.