Neo-Imperialisme Digital di Global South: Penguasaan Akses Internet melalui Proyek Free Basics

Nira Fitriyani (Program Studi Hubungan Internasional, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur, Surabaya, Indonesia.)
Devi Putri Ardyaristi (Program Studi Hubungan Internasional, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur, Surabaya, Indonesia.)
Revan Fajar Dwi Yuantoro (Program Studi Hubungan Internasional, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur, Surabaya, Indonesia.)
Ario Bimo Utomo (Program Studi Hubungan Internasional, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Jawa Timur, Surabaya, Indonesia.)

PERSEPTIF: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora
Vol. 4 No. 3 (2026): PERSEPTIF: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial dan Humaniora

This study analyzes Facebook’s Free Basics project in India as a form of digital neo-imperialism in the era of technological globalization. Using an international political economy approach, the authors examine how this project, claimed to be a philanthropic initiative, actually reveals Big Tech’s pattern of global dominance over the Global South. Using digital neo-imperialism theory, this analysis shows that Free Basics creates new structural dependencies through control over data, infrastructure, and the narrative of digital development. The program not only limits internet access but also directs users to become dependent on Facebook’s digital ecosystem. Through a case study of India, the authors find that despite Big Tech’s use of the “Connecting the Unconnected” narrative, projects such as Free Basics only serve as hegemonic instruments reinforcing global corporate dominance. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) decision to ban Free Basics demonstrates resistance to digital hegemony and affirms the importance of national data sovereignty in developing countries.