Internet shutdowns in India are rising and why you should care?

Over the past few years, the number of instances in which Internet access was blocked for entire regions by the Indian Government has been steadily climbing. These “Internet shutdowns” are usually instituted as responses to conflict situations i.e. to prevent rumor-driven escalations of civil unrest, but they are also instituted at times for reasons far more trivial, such as to prevent cheating during examinations. This rise in frequency and broadening of reasons behind shutdowns, even in the face of strong international condemnation of the practice, are causes for concern as they not only threaten the democratic working of nations but also point to the gradual normalization of the mindset that permits such blanket restriction on Internet access.

An internet shutdown happens when someone — usually a government — intentionally disrupts the internet or mobile apps to control what people say or do. Shutdowns are also sometimes called “blackouts” or “kill switches.” Here’s a more technical definition developed by experts: “An internet shutdown is an intentional disruption of the internet or electronic communications, rendering them inaccessible or effectively unusable, for a specific population or within a location, often to exert control over the flow of information.”

Internet shutdowns pose a threat to human rights around the world. They harm everyone: businesses, emergency services, journalism, human rights defenders, and demonstrators. They don’t help victims or restore order.

49 of the 73 recorded shutdowns targeted mobile Internet services, and 10 targeted both mobile and fixed-line services. So far, no shutdowns have targeted fixed-line Internet services alone, and the targets of 14 shutdowns are unknown.

27 of the 73 recorded shutdowns lasted for less than a day, 17 lasted for 1–3 days, and 16 lasted for more than 3 days. No information is available on the duration of 13 shutdown instances.

Of the 73 shutdowns recorded since 2012, 37 were preventive in nature i.e. imposed in anticipation of a law and order problem, while 36 instances were reactive in nature i.e. imposed in response to an ongoing law and order problem.

Digital India is now a reality.

Demonetisation has reminded us of the State’s power over essential facilities in the economy and society, while the push towards “universal payments” and cashless India demonstrates all the more that the availability of the mobile Internet is now absolutely necessary for the flow of the economy’s lifeblood.

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