After the masses reacted strongly against the decision to introduce zero-rating platforms in India, Google has reportedly decided to hold its plan to provide free data to users by zero-rating a few apps. The company also fears a backlash from the public, as seen previously by Airtel and Facebook.
Citing two people familiar with the development, Economic Times reported that Google was in early discussions with telecom operators and applications developers to launch a zero rating platform but stalled their plan of action for a more ‘wait and watch approach’.
One of them stated that, “Google has shelved the idea of any kind of zero-rating tieup because they are very scared of the backlash which came up against (Facebook’s) Internet.org in India”. However, a Google spokesperson declined to comment on any rumours or speculation.
According to the report, Google hoped to create an environment where ‘telecom operators could put up their zero rating plans and app developers could purchase them to zero-rate the mobile data used by their apps and gain access to a wider customer base.
It was earlier reported that the Government was to block zero rating plans to support Net Neutrality. Citing a senior official from the telecom department, an Economic Times report revealed that the government may disallow zero-rating plans in its final policy, but with the exemption of certain government services aimed at education and health.
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