India tops global internet shutdown list for 6th consecutive year

India has once again topped the global list for internet shutdowns, marking the sixth consecutive year that the country has held this position. The Indian government issued 116 internet shutdown orders in 2023, contributing to a total of 283 shutdowns worldwide. Critics have condemned these actions as severe violations of freedom of expression and human rights.

A recent report highlights that the Indian-administered region of Kashmir experienced 17 internet shutdowns in 2023 alone. These frequent shutdowns have tarnished India’s reputation as a democratic state, drawing significant international criticism towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.

The trend of increasing internet shutdowns in India is alarming. Not only have these disruptions become more widespread geographically, but their duration has also extended. In 2023, the proportion of shutdowns lasting five days or more rose from 15% in the previous year to over 41%. Between January and October 2023, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) issued orders to block 7,502 URLs.

The state of Manipur faced a particularly severe internet blackout, lasting 212 days and affecting around 3.2 million people. Other states, including Haryana and Punjab, also suffered significant disruptions, impacting approximately 27 million residents.

These prolonged internet shutdowns have had devastating effects on the Indian economy, increasing unemployment and deterring investment. The majority of shutdowns targeted mobile networks, which are used by 96% of the Indian population. The blackouts have disrupted daily activities, hindered communication, and restricted access to vital information, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities by interrupting their access to income and opportunities.

The economic impact of these shutdowns has been profound, affecting individual livelihoods and the national GDP. In 2022, India also led the world in internet shutdowns, with 84 out of 187 global outages occurring within its borders. The Jammu and Kashmir region alone experienced 49 shutdowns that year.

Ramanjit Singh Cheema, Policy Director for the Asia Pacific at Access Now, criticized the Modi government’s actions, stating, “The Modi government talks about Digital India, but constant internet shutdowns have pushed India back.”