Zero-rating | Solutional Webdesign Antwerpen

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Zero-rating is a term related to internet^[3] usage and net neutrality^[1]. Companies like Facebook^[2], Wikipedia, and Google^[4], as well as service providers such as T-Mobile US, have zero-rating programs. These programs allow users to access certain services without it affecting their data usage. However, zero-rating has been met with criticism, particularly regarding net neutrality laws and competition in the market. For instance, Chile’s regulator has ruled against zero-rating on the basis of net neutrality law violations. In contrast, the US Federal Communications Commission, while not banning zero-rating, has recognized its potential to breach net neutrality laws. Developments in data protocols and rising usage of secure connections and VPNs are also impacting the effectiveness of zero-rating practices.

Terms definitions

1. ↑ net neutrality. Net neutrality is a guiding principle that preserves the open and unrestricted nature of the internet. It ensures that all internet traffic is treated equally, without any discrimination or preference given to any particular content, website, or application. Net neutrality regulations prevent Internet Service Providers (ISPs) from favoring one type of content over another, enabling equal access for everyone. This principle promotes freedom, competition, and innovation by preventing ISPs from manipulating speed or access conditions. It's also a hot topic in policy debates, with differing regulations and enforcement across regions and countries. Recent developments include the repeal of net neutrality rules in the US in 2017, and strong regulations approved by the Indian Government in 2018. The impact of net neutrality on users, competition, and innovation is significant, shaping the internet as we know it.

2. ↑ Facebook ( Facebook ) Facebook, now known as Meta Platforms, is a major Internet company that started as a social networking platform. Founded by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004, Facebook expanded rapidly from Harvard to other universities and later to the general public, becoming a global phenomenon. It is known for its user-friendly interface and various features such as Groups, the Developer Platform, and Facebook Dating. Despite facing criticism for issues like privacy breaches and the spread of fake news, Facebook has remained a dominant player in the online world. It has made significant strides in the field of technology, including the development of its unique data storage system, the use of PHP for its platform, and the launch of the Hack programming language. In recent years, the company has shifted its focus to the metaverse, a virtual reality space where users can interact with a computer-generated environment.

Glossary

Zero-rating (Wikipedia)

Zero-rating is the practice of providing Internet access without financial cost under certain conditions, such as by permitting access to only certain websites or by subsidizing the service with advertising or by exempting certain websites from the data allowance.

Commentators discussing zero-rating present it often in the context of net neutrality. While most sources report that use of zero-rating is contrary to the principle of net neutrality, there are mixed opinions among advocates of net neutrality about the extent to which people can benefit from zero-rating programs while retaining net neutrality protections. Supporters of zero-rating argue that it enables consumers to make choices to access more data and leads to more people using online services, but critics believe zero-rating exploits the poor, creates opportunities for censorship, and disrupts the free market.

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