Internet Shutdown Tracker

Living in Digital Darkness - A Handbook on Internet Shutdowns in India

A report by SFLC.in on the state of Internet shutdowns in India, analyzing its emergence as a public policy issue, governing laws, recorded instances, and impact among others.

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Trends (January 2012 - April 2018)

Type of Shutdown

Of the 172 reported incidents, 124 were targeted at mobile Internet services alone (3 in 2012, 5 shutdowns each in 2013 & 2014, 8 in 2015 and 19 in 2016, 44 in 2017 and 40 till April 2018), 17 targeted both mobile and fixed-line Internet services (4 each in 2015 and 2016, 9 in 2017, and 2 in 2018), while only 2 shutdowns targeting fixed-line services alone were recorded during the period of study.

Duration of Shutdown

47 of the 172 Internet shutdowns between 2012 and 2018 lasted less than 24 hours, 38 lasted between 24 and 72 hours, 37 lasted for over 72 hours, while no information was available on the respective durations of 50 Internet shutdowns. The non-availability of information is attributable chiefly to the fact that no public notifications are issued by the Government or Internet Service Providers before, during, or after shutdowns, leaving stakeholders outside affected areas to source this information from available news reports, which do not consistently mention the durations for which Internet access was blocked.

Nature of Shutdown

Of the 172 Internet shutdowns recorded between January 2012 and April 2018, 92 were observed to be preventive measures i.e. restrictions imposed in anticipation of law and order breakdowns, whereas 80 shutdowns were reactive in nature i.e. imposed in order to contain on-going law and order breakdowns.

An Initiative of SFLC.In

SFLC.IN is a donor supported legal services organisation that brings together lawyers, policy analysts, technologists, and students to protect freedom in the digital world. SFLC.IN promotes innovation and open access to knowledge by helping developers make great Free and Open Source Software, protect privacy and civil liberties for citizens in the digital world by educating and providing free legal advice and help policy makers make informed and just decisions with the use and adoption of technology.

SFLC.IN is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, operating all over India.