Srinagar: The number of Internet shutdowns in India increased exponentially in the last decade to 690, out of which 101 were imposed in 2021.
So far, 75 shutdowns have been imposed this year, according to the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC), a donor-supported legal services organisation that brings together lawyers, policy analysts, technologists and students to protect freedom in the digital world.
SFLC.in, has been granted Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN. SLFC.in, analyzed the impact of Internet shutdowns from a human rights and economical perspective, and how they affect access to basic essential services, such as education and healthcare, using its Internet Shutdowns Tracker (IST).
India is a country which prides itself on its digital initiatives like Unified Payments Interface (UPI) continues to record the maximum number of Internet Shutdowns across the world. The number of Internet shutdowns in India increased exponentially in the last decade to 690, out of which 101 were imposed in 2021, Jammu Kashmir tops with 418 internet blackouts.
The year 2022 saw India take over the presidency of G20 and at the same time saw the highest number of shutdowns for another year in row. Economically too, Indian Administered Kashmir was the worst hit region, which had no access to the Internet for more than 18 months after 2019.
A report by the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries claims that from August 5, 2019, to July 2020, firms experienced losses totaling Rs 40,000 crore.” India has seriously jeopardized the life of Kashmiris, from worst HRAs to economic strangulation, Kashmiris face the brunt of Indian perpetual atrocities.
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