If our government tries to do something unlawful or unconstitutional, individuals, organisations, and companies can refuse to comply and take it to court. Therefore, even if government tried to enact an Internet shutdown, local network operators would have the freedom to refuse and challenge the order on Constitutional grounds. Not everyone in the world has this freedom.
While activist organisations’ opposition to unjustified Internet shutdowns and human rights advocacy is essential, one must also consider the reality on the ground. Besides the threat of losing their licence and potentially causing citizens to be disconnected from the Internet even longer, there are real dangers to staff operating in those areas. It is all very well to say telcos should resist draconian governments, but it is important to remember that companies are made up of people. Refusing to comply with a government-mandated Internet shutdown means putting employees in harm’s way. It means asking them to risk arrest or even death.
VIA MyBroadband
Follow recent deliberate Internet disruptions via the Pulse Internet Shutdown Tracker and register for our next Pulse Journalist Seminar on Internet Shutdowns