India Enforced Most Internet Shutdowns For Fifth Consecutive Year, Report Claims

Internet shutdowns are a common occurrence in India. For the fifth consecutive year, India reported the highest number of internet shutdowns around the world.

According to a new report by digital rights advocacy firm Access Now, out of the 187 internet shutdowns that were reported across the world in 2022, 84 came from India, out of which 49 were enforced in the contentious region of Kashmir.

For the fifth consecutive year, India also remained the country with most internet shutdowns. In addition, 2022 recorded the highest number of internet shutdowns globally.

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Why India keeps shutting off internet

"Authorities disrupted internet access at least 49 times in Jammu and Kashmir due to political instability and violence, including a string of 16 back-to-back orders for three-day-long curfew style shutdowns in January and February 2022," the report said.

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Access Now began documenting internet shutdowns in 2016. Since then, India has accounted for 58% of all internet shutdowns. "The responsibility of Indian states for the majority of shutdowns globally is impossible to ignore and a deep problem on its own," the report said.

Also read: India Enforced Most Internet Shutdowns In 2021, Fourth Year In A Row: Report

2022 witnessed internet shutdowns in 35 countries - the highest number recorded in a single year. After India, Russia reported the most internet shutdowns - enforcing internet disruption in Ukraine 22 times.

In Ethiopia, the two-year-long shutdown continued in the delicate region of Tigray. In Myanmar, internet access was disrupted seven times.

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Top reasons for internet shutdowns included public demonstrations, conflicts and protests, school exams, and elections, Access Now noted.

Also read: India Saw 1,157 Hours Of Internet Shutdowns In 2021 Costing Tax Payer ?4,300 Crore

Internet disruptions always come with a cost, even beyond basic connectivity. According to a UN Human Rights report from 2022, internet shutdowns have economic repercussions in arenas like financial transactions, labour markets, and delivery of digital services. In addition, it can also hurt the potential flow of investments and start-up ecosystems, the report added.

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