India recorded 84 internet shutdowns in 2024, highest among democracies

India imposed 84 internet shutdowns in 2024, making it the highest among democratic nations, according to a report by digital rights organisation Access Now.

However, Myanmar, under its military junta, recorded 85 blackouts, surpassing India as the worst offender globally.

Governments worldwide implemented a total of 296 internet shutdowns across 54 countries in 2024, marking a new record for digital restrictions. This figure represents an increase from the 283 shutdowns across 39 countries recorded in 2023.

India has topped the global list for six consecutive years, despite a reduction in shutdowns from 116 in 2023 to 84 in 2024.

The report, published on Monday, highlighted that 41 of India's shutdowns were linked to protests, while 23 were imposed due to communal violence. Additionally, five were enforced during government job placement examinations.

At least 16 Indian states and Union Territories experienced at least one shutdown, with Manipur reporting the highest number (21), followed by Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir, each with 12 disruptions.

The frequent internet restrictions have attracted criticism from experts, who argue that such measures undermine India's aspirations for global leadership in digital governance and artificial intelligence.

The report also raised concerns about India's recently introduced Telecommunications Act 2023 and the Telecom Suspension Rules 2024, which retain colonial-era provisions from the Telegraph Act of 1885. Critics argue that these laws lack independent oversight mechanisms, allowing government officials unchecked authority to impose shutdowns.

On a global scale, conflicts were the primary cause of internet shutdowns in 2024, with 103 disruptions recorded in 11 countries due to war and violence. Protests accounted for 74 shutdowns, while 16 were enforced during examinations, and 12 occurred during elections.

Several governments were also found to have used internet shutdowns to obscure human rights violations, restrict civilian access to information, and block humanitarian aid.

The report noted a rise in platform-specific restrictions, with 71 instances recorded in 35 countries. Social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, was the most frequently blocked platform, facing restrictions 24 times across 14 countries. TikTok and Signal also saw a notable increase in government-imposed restrictions compared to the previous year.

While internet shutdowns have become more prevalent, global civil society efforts to counteract them have also intensified. The #KeepItOn coalition monitored high-risk elections in 25 countries and advocated against shutdowns imposed during protests and examinations.

Besides, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights issued a resolution urging member states to refrain from restricting internet access during elections. At the 2024 UN Summit of the Future, world leaders also committed to refraining from internet shutdowns as part of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact.

India's continued use of internet shutdowns remains a contentious issue, raising questions about the balance between national security and digital rights in the world's largest democracy.

(Source: India Today)