India Leads in State-Sanctioned Internet Shutdowns, Sparking Global Concerns

In 2023, India, under Narendra Modi, once again claimed the unenviable title of the world leader in state-sanctioned internet shutdowns, a trend that has persisted for six consecutive years. This dubious distinction has raised significant alarm about the state of digital freedom and democracy in the country.

According to a report by digital rights and privacy organization Access Now, the Indian government ordered a total of 116 internet shutdowns in 2023, out of a global tally of 283 such shutdowns. A notable portion of these shutdowns, 65 out of 116, were reportedly in response to communal violence, affecting a total of 13 states and Union territories. Alarmingly, seven of these regions experienced internet disruptions on five or more occasions throughout the year.

Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) bore a particularly heavy burden, with 17 shutdown orders issued in 2023 alone, as highlighted in the report.

The accompanying press release lamented India’s recurring position as the world’s leader in internet shutdowns, condemning the repeated use of this tactic by Indian authorities. Over the past five years, the report noted, Indian authorities have resorted to internet shutdowns over 500 times, plunging millions of citizens into digital darkness.

One stark example cited was the state of Manipur, where approximately 3.2 million people endured a statewide shutdown for a 212 days between May and December 2023—the longest internet shutdown recorded globally that year.

Namrata Maheshwari, senior policy counsel at Access Now, decried the detrimental impact of these shutdowns on democracy, asserting that they infringe upon fundamental rights such as free speech, information, and assembly. The organization highlighted a troubling trend of increasingly longer and wider-ranging shutdowns across India, facilitated by new telecom legislation granting the government extensive powers to impose such restrictions.

Raman Jit Singh Chima, Asia Pacific policy director at Access Now, criticized the Indian government’s hypocrisy, noting the stark contrast between its professed commitment to a “Digital India” and its persistent resort to internet shutdowns, which disproportionately affect the most vulnerable segments of society.

The report underscores broader concerns about the erosion of digital freedoms and democratic principles in India, signaling a pressing need for international scrutiny and advocacy to address this concerning trend.