Despite hiccups, Facebook's 'colonial' Free Basics program reaches 25m people

The program offering free, limited internet service to the developing world has faced setbacks and criticism but now has 500 apps available in 37 countries

Facebook's efforts to connect the developing world to a range of free, selective internet service has had its setbacks in the past few months, including a major government vote to block the service in India and criticism that the service is a form of "digital colonialism".

Related: Facebook Free Basics service put on ice by India's telecoms regulator