The Crossbill News Desk
India recorded 84 internet shutdowns in 2024, making it the democratic country with the highest number of disruptions, according to a report by digital rights organization Access Now.
Globally, India was second only to Myanmar, which saw 85 shutdowns, imposed by the country’s military junta.
This marks the first time in six years that India has not topped the global list of internet blackouts. However, the report emphasized that the country still remains a leading implementer of internet shutdowns worldwide.
“Despite a modest decrease in shutdowns from 2023 [116 internet shutdowns], India still imposed 84 in 2024, the most disruptions ordered in a democracy that year,” the report stated.
Shutdowns Linked to Protests and Communal Violence
Out of the 84 recorded shutdowns in India,
- 41 were related to protests,
- 23 were linked to communal violence,
- 5 were enforced during government job placement examinations.
At least 16 states and Union Territories experienced at least one shutdown, with Manipur (21 shutdowns) leading the count, followed by Haryana (12) and Jammu & Kashmir (12).
Concerns Over Lack of Safeguards in Telecom Laws
The report also raised concerns over the Telecommunications Act 2023 and the Telecom Suspension Rules 2024, stating that they fail to introduce safeguards against internet shutdowns.
One of the key criticisms of the Telecom Act is that it retains provisions from the colonial-era Telegraph Act, 1885, allowing the government to suspend internet services without an independent oversight mechanism.
Currently, shutdown orders are reviewed by a three-member committee of senior government officials at the Centre and state levels.
Global Internet Blackouts in 2024
Governments across 54 countries imposed a total of 296 internet shutdowns in 2024, with 202 such disruptions occurring in the Asia-Pacific region.
According to the report:
- Myanmar, India, and Pakistan together accounted for 64% of all global shutdowns
- 103 shutdowns were imposed due to violent conflicts across 11 countries, including India.
- Other triggers included protests, elections, exams, and attempts to conceal human rights abuses.
Rise in Social Media Platform Blocks
The report also highlighted an increase in platform-specific restrictions, with governments blocking access to 71 online platforms across 35 countries, up from 53 blocks in 25 countries in 2023.
- X (formerly Twitter) was the most blocked platform worldwide, restricted 24 times in 14 countries.
- TikTok was blocked 10 times in 10 countries.
- Signal, a secure messaging app, was restricted 10 times in 9 countries.
As concerns grow over digital freedom and state-imposed internet restrictions, advocacy groups are calling for greater transparency and accountability in internet governance.
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