Internet Blocked Anytime... What Is Happening in India?

WP cites nonprofit: "Internet blocked over 680 times in 8 years"
Modi government claims to prevent fake news spread and chaos
But concerns over basic rights violations rise... Possible cover-up of human rights abuses

India's central and local governments have been criticized for extensively shutting down the internet whenever violent incidents occur within the country, thereby blocking residents' access to information. The Narendra Modi government maintains that these measures are necessary to prevent the spread of false information and avoid chaos, but critics argue that such actions infringe on the fundamental right to freedom of expression.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
[Photo by Reuters]

According to a report by The Washington Post (WP) on the 20th (local time), citing research by the global nonprofit organization Access Now, the number of times the Indian central and local governments have ordered telecom companies to shut down internet networks under legal orders from 2016 to May this year has been counted at over 680.

Since 2020, India has ranked first in the number of internet shutdowns, surpassing Iran (2nd) and Myanmar (3rd). The proportion of internet shutdowns occurring in India accounts for more than half of the total worldwide. Typically, internet shutdowns last from a few days to several months.

Indian government officials argue that these measures prevent the spread of misinformation online and help avoid chaos. However, such a form of 'digital blackout' has been criticized for suppressing dissenting opinions and enabling abuses. WP also pointed out that these shutdowns can have significant economic impacts.

In fact, many cases where the Indian government has shut down the internet appear to have been used to prevent the spread of content unfavorable to the regime.

The longest-lasting internet and telecom shutdown occurred during the conflict in the Jammu-Kashmir region in northern India from August 2019. At that time, the Indian government cut off internet access for 18 months. During this period, as the Modi government integrated the Jammu-Kashmir region?disputed with Pakistan?under Indian control, violent protests and strong crackdowns by Indian forces took place, after which the government blocked communication lines and cut off high-speed internet.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Anuradha Bhasin, a Stanford University researcher and former editor-in-chief of the Kashmir Times, explained to WP that the internet shutdown made it difficult for the media to report. She said that allegations of torture of detainees, including minors, by Indian forces only came to light weeks later through news articles.

Subsequently, Bhasin raised the issue with judicial authorities, leading the Indian Supreme Court in 2020 to rule that government-ordered internet shutdowns should only be used when absolutely necessary for a limited period and that the reasons must be disclosed. However, it was pointed out that the government has ignored this ruling and continues to impose internet shutdowns.

Internet shutdowns by the government have continued until recently. In May, when ethnic violence broke out in Manipur state in northeastern India, Prime Minister Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shut down the internet for 3 million residents. WP reported that the sudden internet blackout led workers to take to the streets, and hospitals faced operational difficulties as their online systems stopped working. During this period, the government controlled the agenda by delivering its desired messages to the public.

Additionally, in February, internet access was shut down in 11 cities in Rajasthan state during school exams to prevent cheating, and in March, the internet in Punjab state was cut off to capture a fugitive suspect, affecting 27 million people. It appears that internet shutdowns are used frequently whenever deemed necessary.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights pointed out in a related report last year that internet shutdowns violate the fundamental right to freedom of expression and that such measures have more drawbacks than benefits during turbulent times. The agency added that internet shutdowns can be implemented with the intent to escalate violence and conceal human rights abuses.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.