Faisal Farooqui

Faisal Farooqui was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=September 2014 |title=Alumnus credits Binghamton for inspiring his award-winning review website |url=https://www.binghamton.edu/alumni/news/alumni-connect/sep-2014/international-alumnus.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150204195333/https://www.binghamton.edu/alumni/news/alumni-connect/sep-2014/international-alumnus.html |archive-date=4 February 2015 |access-date=17 April 2020 |website=Alumni Connect- Binghamton University}} His father owned bakeries in the city.{{Cite web |last=Vahanvaty |first=Insiyah |date=30 June 2009 |title='Work for the sake of passion, not a paycheck' |url=https://www.rediff.com/getahead/2009/jun/30work-for-the-sake-of-passion-not-a-paycheck.htm |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=Rediff.com}} He attended St. Stanislaus High School in Bandra, Mumbai.{{Cite web |last=Naik |first=Sushma |date=3 October 2009 |title=Swades, the dotcom way |url=http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20051003/technologylife02.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051029150704/http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20051003/technologylife02.shtml |archive-date=29 October 2005 |access-date=16 April 2020 |website=Express Computer}} He received a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems and Finance from State University of New York at Binghamton.{{Cite web |title=Notable Alumni - Alumni Association {{!}} Binghamton University |url=https://www.binghamton.edu/alumni/show-your-pride/notable-alumni/index.html |access-date=2022-03-23 |website=Alumni Association - Binghamton University |language=en}}

Faisal was elected to the University's Faculty Senate Committee and the Student government. He became the technology editor of the campus newspaper, Pipe Dream.

After finishing his undergraduate studies, he started working at American Management Systems as a telecommunication consultant. He moved to India in 2000 and established MouthShut.com as a platform for reviews of products and services.{{cite news |author1=Surabhi Agarwal |date=26 March 2015 |title=Newsmaker: Faisal Farooqui |work=Business Standard |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/newsmaker-faisal-farooqui-115032601198_1.html}} MouthShut popularized the concept of advertising on rickshaws for marketing purposes.{{cite news |last=Mitra |first=Moinak |date=23 March 2007 |title=Chunnu, Munnu left out as autos load dotcom ads |website=Economic Times |publisher= |url=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Infotech/Internet__Telecom/Chunnu_Munnu_left_out_as_autos_load_dotcom_ads/articleshow/1795954.cms |accessdate=8 March 2017}}{{Cite web |last=Seetha |date=25 September 2006 |title=Dotcoms discover a new marketing vehicle |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-dotcoms-discover-a-new-marketing-vehicle-1055159 |access-date=16 April 2020 |website=DNA India |language=en}}

In 2001 Faisal started the dial-the-CEO program on MouthShut where consumers could directly call the CEO. The program was later adopted by many businesses for interaction between CEOs and customers directly.{{Cite news |last=Krishnakumar |first=Aparna |date=2005-04-20 |title=Ice people: Faisal Farooqui |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/technology/ice-people-faisal-farooqui-105042001022_1.html |access-date=2022-03-22}}

In 2011, he beta-launched Dealface.com which connects consumers with local businesses. This was the first website that provided SMS-based coupons.{{Cite news |last=Shanbaug |first=Amit |date=19 December 2011 |title=Mouthshut.com: Building funds via feedback |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/mouthshut-com-building-funds-via-feedback/articleshow/11143968.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2022-03-22}}{{Cite web |last=Saxena |first=Anupam |date=2011-05-13 |title=Deal Sites Launched By MouthShut, IndyaRocks; Suggestions |url=https://www.medianama.com/2011/05/223-mouthshut-dealface-indyarocks-dealyantra-dealnama/ |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=MediaNama |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=11 May 2011 |title=Mouthshut.com launches Dealface.com |url=https://www.moneylife.in/article/mouthshutcom-launches-dealfacecom/16307.html |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=Moneylife |language=en}} Later Dealface was integrated with MouthShut.

He was also the official spokesperson to Indian actor Dilip Kumar. His family has a long-standing relationship with Kumar.{{Cite web |last=Hindi |first=TV9 |date=7 July 2021 |title=Dilip Kumar Social Media : कौन हैं फैसल फारूकी जो हर पल देते थे दिलीप कुमार की हेल्थ से जुड़ी जानकारी, जानिए क्या है एक्टर से रिश्ता |url=https://www.tv9hindi.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/dilip-kumar-death-know-who-is-faisal-farooqui-who-used-to-give-actor-health-update-know-what-is-his-relation-with-him-725587.html |website=TV9 Hindi}}{{Cite web |date=7 July 2021 |title=कौन हैं फैसल फारुकी जो देते थे दिलीप कुमार का हेल्थ अपडेट? |url=https://www.prabhasakshi.com/bollywood/who-is-faisal-farooqui-who-gave-dilip-kumar-health-update |website=Prabhasakshi}} During the last days of actor Faisal released all his health updates to the media.{{Cite web |title=Dilip Kumar admitted to hospital |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/dilip-kumar-admitted-to-hospital/articleshow/66118198.cms |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-09-02 |title=Saira Banu was under stress after Dilip Kumar’s death, spokesperson Faisal Farooqui says |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/saira-banu-was-under-stress-after-dilip-kumars-death-7482278/ |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-07-07 |title=Dilip Kumar Death: Who is Faisal Farooqui who used to give information related to Dilip Kumar's health every moment, know what is the relationship with the actor |url=https://www.newsncr.com/entertainment/dilip-kumar-death-who-is-faisal-farooqui-who-used-to-give-information-related-to-dilip-kumars-health-every-moment-know-what-is-the-relationship-with-the-actor/ |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=News NCR |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-07-07 |title=Dilip Kumar Social Media : कौन हैं फैसल फारूकी जो हर पल देते थे दिलीप कुमार की हेल्थ से जुड़ी जानकारी, जानिए क्या है एक्टर से रिश्ता |url=https://www.tv9hindi.com/entertainment/bollywood-news/dilip-kumar-death-know-who-is-faisal-farooqui-who-used-to-give-actor-health-update-know-what-is-his-relation-with-him-725587.html |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=TV9 Bharatvarsh |language=hi}} He received a 2006 Manthan Award for Best Youth website.{{Cite web |title=Manthan Awards announced in 14 categories |url=https://www.afaqs.com/news/media/15690_manthan-awards-announced-in-14-categories |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=afaqs!}} In several interviews in 2015, he stated that he supports net neutrality.{{Cite web |date=2015-05-11 |title=Internet users represent new India with aspirations – and they want net neutrality: Faisal I Farooqui |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/the-interviews-blog/internet-users-represent-new-india-with-aspirations-and-they-want-net-neutrality-faisal-i-farooqui/ |access-date=2021-09-24 |website=Times of India Blog |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=www.ETTelecom.com |title=Net neutrality: Wary of the DoT matrix - Tele-Talk by Faisal Farooqui {{!}} ET Telecom |url=http://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tele-talk/net-neutrality-wary-of-the-dot-matrix/796 |access-date=2021-08-13 |website=ETTelecom.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=30 December 2015 |title=Nine Indian startup CEOs write to TRAI against zero-rating platforms |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/facebooks-free-basics-9-indian-startup-ceos-jointly-write-to-trai-chairman-against-it/}} In a 2017 interview, Farooqui stated his preference for shifting India's time zone by 30 minutes.{{Cite web |last=Kanti |first=Anurit |title=Shifting India's Time-Zone By 30 Minutes Will Have Economic, Social, Health And Environmental Benefits: Faisal Farooqui |url=http://businessworld.in/article/Shifting-India-s-Time-Zone-By-30-Minutes-Will-Have-Economic-Social-Health-And-Environmental-Benefits-Faisal-Farooqui/11-09-2017-125868 |website=BW Businessworld}}

Farooqui's biographical memoir of Dilip Kumar titled In The Shadow of a Legend: Dilip Kumar was launched on 7 July 2022, the first death anniversary of Dilip Kumar.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-23 |title=‘Yusuf sahab would often tell me about his fear of Dilip Kumar’ |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/books-and-literature/dilip-kumar-muhammad-yusuf-khan-book-superstardom-faisal-farooqui-8107477/ |access-date=2022-09-24 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

Faisal is credited with introducing the concept of using auto-rickshaws (also known as rickshaws or tuk-tuk) as a medium for advertising and mass media. He used the back of the hoods of autorickshaws to advertise his startup Mouthshut.com in 2001.{{Cite news |last=Mitra |first=Moinak |title=Chunnu, Munnu left out as autos load dotcom ads |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/chunnu-munnu-left-out-as-autos-load-dotcom-ads/articleshow/1795954.cms |access-date=2022-09-24}}{{Cite web |last=Seetha |title=Dotcoms discover a new marketing vehicle |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-dotcoms-discover-a-new-marketing-vehicle-1055159 |access-date=2022-09-24 |website=DNA India |language=en}}

As an advocate of Freedom of expression on the Internet, Faisal filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court for challenging the Information Technology Rules, 2011.{{Cite news |last=Das |first=Soma |title=Section 66A of IT Act: We took up battle, big guys didn’t, says MouthShut founder Faisal Farooqui |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/section-66a-of-it-act-we-took-up-battle-big-guys-didnt-says-mouthshut-founder-faisal-farooqui/articleshow/46683331.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2022-09-24}} The Supreme Court in its verdict directed striking down the Section 66A and reading down of many other sections of the Information Technology Act of India terming it was unconstitutional.{{Cite news |last=Agarwal |first=Surabhi |date=2015-03-26 |title=Newsmaker: Faisal Farooqui |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/newsmaker-faisal-farooqui-115032601198_1.html |access-date=2022-09-24}}{{Cite web |date=2014-03-11 |title=We believe that a consumer's review is sacrosanct: MouthShut.com |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/opinion/interviews/story/we-believe-that-a-consumer-review-is-sacrosanct-mouthshutcom-133218-2014-03-11 |access-date=2022-09-24 |website=Business Today |language=en}}

• Board of Governors, Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC){{Cite web |title=Indian civil society to WhatsApp, Facebook: Ask users before they are added to group chats |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/technology/indian-civil-society-to-whatsapp-facebook-ask-users-before-they-are-added-to-group-chats-2580949.html |access-date=2022-09-24 |website=Moneycontrol |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Governing Body {{!}} SFLC.in |url=https://sflc.in/about-us/board-members |access-date=2022-09-24 |website=sflc.in}}
• Committee, Ghalib Institute, Delhi
• Convenor, MoreSunlight{{Cite web |last=Kanti |first=Anurit |title=Shifting India’s Time-Zone By 30 Minutes Will Have Economic, Social, Health And Environmental Benefits: Faisal Farooqui |url=http://businessworld.in/article/Shifting-India-s-Time-Zone-By-30-Minutes-Will-Have-Economic-Social-Health-And-Environmental-Benefits-Faisal-Farooqui/11-09-2017-125868 |access-date=2022-09-24 |website=BW Businessworld |language=en}}
• Founding Member, Lead Angels Investment{{Cite news |last=Saraswathy |first=M. |date=2013-11-11 |title=Former IIT Bombay team members start angel network |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/former-iit-bombay-team-members-start-angel-network-113111100606_1.html |access-date=2022-09-24}}

• {{Cite book |last=Farooqui |first=Faisal |title=Dilip Kumar : In the Shadow of a Legend (A Biography) |publisher=Om Books International |year=2022 |isbn=978-9392834660 |location=India |language=English}}

• Application of market research towards proactive customer relationship management{{Cite web |title=Application of market research towards proactive customer relationship management {{!}} WARC |url=http://origin.warc.com/content/paywall/article/application-of-market-research-towards-proactive-customer-relationship-management/en-gb/en-GB/78467 |access-date=2022-09-23 |website=origin.warc.com |language=en-GB}}

Pune-based Kumar builders sent a legal notice to Faisal and MouthShut.com and demanded Rs.2000 crore damages for fake reviews appearing on MouthShut.com about them.{{Cite web |last=Kelkar |first=Suhit |date=2013-06-13 |title=The Irony of a Name |url=https://openthemagazine.com/features/india/the-irony-of-a-name/ |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=Open The Magazine |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last=Agarwal |first=Surabhi |date=2015-03-26 |title=Newsmaker: Faisal Farooqui |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/newsmaker-faisal-farooqui-115032601198_1.html |access-date=2022-03-24}}

Institute of Management and Technical Studies sent a legal notice to Faisal for fake review post on his website MouthShut about the institute. It alleged that the reviews were intended to bring the institute's reliability down.{{Cite web |title=IMTS Institute send a Legal notice MouthShut.com for Fake Review |url=https://imtsinstitute.com/imts-institute-send-a-legal-notice-to-faisal-farooqui-for-fake-review/ |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=imtsinstitute |language=en}}

Faisal was among the lead petitioners who challenged the sections of IT Act section 66 A through a petition in the Supreme Court of India in 2013.{{Cite web |last=Tiwary |first=Avinash |title=Section 66A of IT Act: Entire digital ecosystem will take off from here, says MouthShut founder Faisal Farooqui |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/entire-digital-ecosystem-will-take-off-from-here-faisal-farooqui/57177/ |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=The Financial Express |language=en}} In 2015, the court struck down 66A, holding it unconstitutional and diluting many other sections.{{Cite news |last=Das |first=Soma |date=25 March 2015 |title=Section 66A of IT Act: We took up battle, big guys didn’t, says MouthShut founder Faisal Farooqui |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/section-66a-of-it-act-we-took-up-battle-big-guys-didnt-says-mouthshut-founder-faisal-farooqui/articleshow/46683331.cms |access-date=2022-03-22}}{{Cite web |last=Balaji |first=Indira |date=2021-08-05 |title=Section 66A of the IT Act is dead; punish the police who still use it |url=https://thefederal.com/opinion/section-66a-of-the-it-act-is-dead-punish-the-police-who-still-use-it/ |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=The Federal |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Sriram |first=Jayant |date=2015-03-24 |title=SC strikes down ‘draconian’ Section 66A |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-strikes-down-section-66-a-of-the-it-act-finds-it-unconstitutional/article61470585.ece |access-date=2022-03-22 |issn=0971-751X}}

Faisal's firm MouthShut has received 790 takedown notices, 240 legal notices, and 11 court cases against it.{{Cite web |last=Datta |first=Saurav |title=This Supreme Court petition could be a big step in the fight for Internet democracy in India |url=http://scroll.in/article/678539/this-supreme-court-petition-could-be-a-big-step-in-the-fight-for-internet-democracy-in-india |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}} Hence, Farooqui and Mouthshut.com decided to challenge these notices by petitioning the Supreme Court of India to read down the Intermediary Guidelines Rules 2011.{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Shreeja |date=2014-08-30 |title=SC seeks govt reply on PIL challenging powers of IT Act |url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/DSjZ9XsezZ4fN2GGfkWu1N/SC-seeks-govt-reply-on-PIL-challenging-powers-of-IT-Act.html |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=mint |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Pahwa |first=Nikhil |date=2013-04-29 |title=MouthShut Challenges IT Rules In The Supreme Court Of India |url=https://www.medianama.com/2013/04/223-mouthshut-it-rules-supreme-court-of-india/ |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=MediaNama |language=en-US}}

In 2014, Beam Fiber, an ISP in Hyderabad and Bangalore blocked access to Mouthshut.com.{{Cite web |last=Balanarayan |first=N. T. |date=2014-02-04 |title=Update: Mouthshut Blocked By Beam Fibre; Issue Escalated To TRAI And DoT |url=https://www.medianama.com/2014/02/223-mouthshut-blocked-beam-trai-dot/ |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=MediaNama |language=en-US}} Farooqui challenged this illegal block and Beam Fiber later unblocked its access with an apology.{{Cite web |title=Mouthshut finally unblocked, will consider legal action against ISP - Exchange4media |url=https://www.exchange4media.com/digital-news/mouthshut-finally-unblockedwill-consider-legal-action-against-isp-54504.html |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=exchange4media |language=en}}

• Named as one of the 50 Indian's in list of Young Leaders by British High Commission{{Cite web |title=TEDxSIUHinjewadi {{!}} TED |url=https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/16706 |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=www.ted.com}}

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Category:Living people

Category:Indian activists

Category:Businesspeople from Maharashtra

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)