I'm spending some time traveling in Thailand. While topping off my phone data package, I noticed that you can pay for a "Facebook and Line only" data package. [1]
Locals have told me the role that Facebook and Instagram play in eCommerce here is different from how it is in the states. Many physical product merchants will set up a Facebook or Instagram account for their store. They'll post their products as pictures, take payments via Line, and then ship merchandise once cash is received. Since Facebook and IG are eCommerce platforms, giving FB + limited net access means more than just accessing a social network.
I too, find it off-putting that Facebook markets this project as charity work, but I think the picture is grey at best and at worst.
Locals have told me the role that Facebook and Instagram play in eCommerce here is different from how it is in the states. Many physical product merchants will set up a Facebook or Instagram account for their store. They'll post their products as pictures, take payments via Line, and then ship merchandise once cash is received. Since Facebook and IG are eCommerce platforms, giving FB + limited net access means more than just accessing a social network.
I too, find it off-putting that Facebook markets this project as charity work, but I think the picture is grey at best and at worst.
[1] translate.google.co.th/translate?hl=en&sl=th&u=http://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/topping/&prev=search