Recently, this issue got triggered with respect to the JIO phone. Doubts have been raised whether it will violate the principles of “Net Neutrality” if the device restricts its users to only a limited number of applications. Though I am not aware of the actual facts on the ground, however, such a scenario is worth an investigation.
Nothing Can be Fully Neutral
If we look around we will find all devices/browsers have some level of restrictions when it comes to accessing applications/functionalities. For examples, some applications work on IOS, some on Google play, and some on Windows only. As a case in point, Goodreader (one of my favorite app in the IOS) does not have an Android version. I have seen people (posting comments in their portal) literally pleading them to do so, but they have not yet relented. Also, some operating systems have deliberately not developed support for applications which work on “Flash” – limiting consumers access severely. The reasons could be many – business, technical, strategic etc. So are these devices violating the principles of “Net Neutrality”? If not why?
