Internet Shutdown In India

Recently, Access Now has released a report, which states that in the year 2023, 116 incidents of internet shutdown have been recorded in India, which is the highest in the world for the sixth consecutive year.
An Internet shutdown is an intentional disruption of Internet services, making them unavailable to a specific population or location. People affected by this cannot use online services, such as cannot use social media, access to websites gets disrupted, etc.

Provision for Internet Shutdown-

• It is currently governed by the Temporary Suspension of Telecommunication Services Rules, 2017, notified under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. Under this, permission is given to temporarily shut down telecommunication services for 15 days at a time on the basis of public emergency in a particular area.
• Under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Central Government has the authority to regulate various telecommunications and grant licenses for them.
• Orders of temporary suspension can be issued only by the Union/State Home Secretary.
• Under the Temporary Suspension of Telecommunication Services Rules, 2017, orders to shut down the internet are reviewed by a three-member review committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary at the central level and the Chief Secretary at the state level.

Reasons responsible for Internet Shutdown-

• Ensuring national security.
• Security of citizens.
• Preventing social unrest from escalating, such as the 2018 Bhima-Koregaon battle anniversary celebrations.
• Preventing fraud, such as fraud in the Teacher Eligibility Test in 2021.
• Security and public order, such as internet shutdown to prevent ethnic violence in Manipur.

Supreme Court’s decision in Anuradha Bharatiya vs Union of India and others case (2020)-

• Under the 2017 rules, internet services/telecom services cannot be suspended indefinitely.
• Any order to suspend internet services must be in line with the principle of proportionality.
• Any order to suspend internet services is subject to judicial review.

Effect of Internet Shutdown-

• There was a loss of $ 118 million in terms of foreign investment between June 2023.
• It restricts access to information which limits freedom of speech and expression.
• Creates obstacles in accessing online services like education services, health services etc.
• This limits accountability.
• It isolates people from the other world, creating a feeling of doubt in the mind. Due to which incidents like violent strikes occur.
• Communication disruptions during shutdowns hinder the issuance of early warnings and dissemination of rescue or relief information. Like- severe form of effects of Cyclone Mocha (year 2023) in Myanmar.