Cleartrip exits Facebook's internet.org platform in favour of net neutrality

Online travel services provider Cleartrip pulled out from Facebook and Reliance Communications-promoted platform internet.org on Wednesday to support net neutrality a day after leading e-tailer Flipkart in a similar move walked out from Airtel Zero.

"Time to draw a line in the sand, Cleartrip is pulling out of Internet.org and standing up for #NetNeutrality," Cleartrip tweeted.

While there are differences between internet.org and Airtel Zero, both the programs are similar in their stated aim to make access to select apps free for consumers and also offer higher speeds of download. However, free access to selective apps violates the concept of net neutrality, which stipulates that access to data, including cost and speed, has to be the same for everyone.

"What started off with providing a simple search service has us now concerned with influencing customer decision-making by forcing options on them, something that is against our core DNA," a Cleartrip said. "A few weeks back, Facebook reached out and asked us to participate in the internet.org initiative with the intention of helping us deliver one of our mostaffordable products to the more underserved parts of the country.

There was no revenue arrangement between us and internet.org or any of its participants-we were neither paid anything, nor did we pay anything to participate.

Additionally we don't make any money out of that product," the company added. "Since there was absolutely zero money changing hands, we genuinely believed we were contributing to a social cause," Cleartrip stated.

"So while our original intent was noble, it is impossible to pretend there is no conflict of interest in our decision to be a participant in internet.org. In light of this, Cleartrip has withdrawn our association with and participation in Internet.org entirely. We believe that the Internet is a great leveller and that freedom of the Internet is critical for innovation. Cleartrip is and always will be a fully committed supporter of #NetNeutrality."