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It is surprising that both Flipkart and Times Group pulled out of Facebook's initiative, but unsurprising that they pulled out in tandem. Both Flipkart and Times Group have taken multi-million dollar investments from early Facebook employees and some even sit on their board. They must have really felt the heat to take such an action. Ironically, a lot of awareness in India around net-neutrality spread through WhatsApp and Facebook!

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>>It is surprising that both Flipkart and Times Group pulled out of Facebook's initiative

They were counting on people's sentiments to fall for free services/products. They realized it could back fire big time. That 'we are for net neutrality' argument is plain B.S. They are making a virtue out of compulsion.

Flipkart has a string of screw up's off late. The Xiaomi flash sale, the big billion dollar sale, other price related issues.

They are already falling out of fashion. Last thing they need is to perceived as a 'yet another baniya company'.

Apparently Times Group hasn't really pulled out. They have announced that they will, provided their competition pledges to do the same.

They've completely pulled out for some services and conditionally for some others.

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