India Leads Global Internet Shutdowns For Sixth Year In A Row: Report
For the sixth consecutive year, India has topped the list of countries enforcing the highest numbers of deliberate internet shutdowns in the world in 2023, according to a report by Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition.
Out of the 283 shutdown incidents recorded across 39 countries, India implemented a whopping 116 shutdowns in the year 2023, focusing more on regional shutdowns than localised ones compared with the last two years when the shutdowns were more localised. Over 64 shutdown orders affected more than one district in the same state, province, or region, the report observed.
In the report titled Shrinking Democracy, Growing Violence: Internet Shutdowns In 2023, the most affected regions were Manipur and Punjab.
The violence-torn state of Manipur witnessed 47 shutdowns in total. The report highlighted that from May 3 to December 3, 2023, the state government imposed a statewide shutdown for 212 days, affecting over 3.2 million people. While mobile networks were mainly impacted, a statewide shutdown of broadband and mobile internet also lasted for roughly two-and-a-half months. Based on the report, women were severely affected by the shutdowns as reporting and documenting crimes such as murder, rape, arson, and other gender-based violence became difficult.
In Punjab, an internet shutdown lasting for four days straight impacted around 27 million people. The report emphasised that it was one of the country’s “most extensive blackouts in recent years.” The shutdown was enforced as authorities launched an operation to arrest alleged separatist leader Amritpal Singh.
Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a dip in internet shutdowns from 49 in 2022 to 17 in 2023.
Other states, including Bihar (12), Haryana (11), West Bengal (6), Maharashtra (5), and Rajasthan (5), imposed shutdowns for reasons such as protests, exams, and religious holidays.
Furthermore, the number of shutdowns lasting more than five days jumped from 15 percent in 2022 to over 41 percent in 2023, coinciding with the nationwide blocking of 14 messaging apps since May. The report also noted that over 7,502 URL-blocking orders were issued between January and October 2023, with the new telecom law giving the central government “nearly unchecked power” to enforce internet shutdowns.
While the severe internet shutdowns were found to be dangerously harmful to press freedom, education, and healthcare, the report also highlighted the drastic economic consequences resulting from them. The shutdowns reportedly cost India $1.9 billion and a loss of $118 million in foreign investment in the first half of 2023 alone.
Additionally, as India becomes more digitalized, the effects of internet shutdowns are far-reaching. The majority of the workforce in India depends on the internet for revenue streams and opportunities. This was found to be disproportionately affecting marginalised communities, widening the already existing inequalities. “A single-day shutdown can push up to 379 people into unemployment in India,” stated the report.
“Rather than protecting communities, internet shutdowns in India are deepening the digital divide and undermining efforts towards equitable and inclusive digitization,” the report added.
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2023 was a year of devastation for millions of people impacted by internet shutdowns and violence. Authorities around the world went above + beyond to brutally wield shutdowns against democracy + human rights. 🧵https://t.co/7u8rqFijuk
— Access Now (@accessnow) May 15, 2024
