India recorded 84 internet shutdowns in 2024, the highest number among democratic nations, according to a report by digital rights organization Access Now. This marks a decrease from 116 shutdowns in 2023 but still places India as the leading democracy in terms of internet disruptions. Globally, India was second only to Myanmar, which experienced 85 blackouts imposed by its military junta.
This is the first time in six years that India was not named as the country with the most internet shutdowns worldwide. The report highlighted that 41 of the 84 shutdowns were related to protests, while 23 were triggered by communal violence. Additionally, authorities imposed five shutdowns during government job placement examinations.
Internet shutdowns were reported in over 16 Indian states and Union Territories. The state-wise data revealed that Manipur experienced the highest number of shutdowns (21), followed by Haryana (12), and Jammu & Kashmir (12). “Shutdowns are incompatible with India’s global leadership ambitions, whether on AI, digital governance, or skilling.
In no other democracy are people cut off from connectivity without oversight or accountability, year after year,” noted Namrata Maheshwari, senior policy counsel at Access Now.
India’s leading internet shutdown record
Maheshwari urged authorities to repeal rights-violating laws and aim for a shutdown-free year in 2025.
A significant criticism of the Telecom Act is that it retains provisions of the colonial-era Telegraph Act of 1885, allowing government-ordered internet shutdowns without sufficient safeguards such as an independent oversight mechanism. Currently, a three-member committee comprising secretary-level officials at the Centre and in states reviews the legal validity of shutdown orders. Globally, 2024 saw over 296 government-imposed internet shutdowns across 54 countries, with 202 disruptions recorded in 11 Asia Pacific countries or territories.
Myanmar, India, and Pakistan together accounted for over 64% of all recorded shutdowns in 2024. Shutdowns were most frequent during instances of violence and conflict, with 103 conflict-related shutdowns in 11 countries, including India. The report identified other triggers for shutdowns, such as protests, exams, elections, and efforts to conceal human rights abuses.
“Shutdowns destabilise societies, undermine digital progress, put entire communities at risk, and provide a cloak of impunity for human rights abuses,” said Raman Jit Singh Chima, Asia Pacific Policy Director at Access Now. In 2024, access to 71 specific online platforms was blocked in 35 countries, an increase from 53 blocks in 25 countries in 2023. Elon Musk-owned social media platform X was the most blocked (24 times in 14 countries), followed by TikTok (blocked 10 times in 10 countries), and secure messaging app Signal (10 times in nine countries).
This ongoing issue highlights the growing concerns over digital authoritarianism in Asia and the impacts of such measures on society and human rights.
Image Credits: Photo by Tetsuya Tomomatsu on Unsplash
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