India deals blow to Facebook's Free Basics in 'net neutrality' row

Indian regulator outlaws differential pricing for data packages, blocking Facebook service that offered a restricted internet free to some mobile users

India's telecom regulator has blocked Facebook's controversial Free Basics internet service by ruling in favour of "net neutrality" by outlawing differential pricing for data packages.

Facebook has met a backlash in India from net neutrality advocates, who say that because the Free Basics mobile service only allows access to selected websites it violates the principle that the entire internet should be available to everyone on equal terms.