Internet Shutdowns

Authorities suspended Internet services in Bhainsa town in the district of Andhra Pradesh on 8 March 2021 to maintain law and order following civil unrest. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries.

Authorities ordered local telecommunication providers to suspend mobile data services in the district of Anantnag on 24 February 2021 (between 10:30 to 16:10 local time) to maintain law and order following terrorist activities in the region. This was the second time the Internet has been suspended in the region in a month. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries.

Authorities ordered local telecommunication providers to suspend mobile data services in the district of Shopian from 18 February 2022 (23:40 local time) to 19 February 2021 (21:15 local time) to maintain law and order following terrorist activities in the region. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries.

Authorities ordered local telecommunication providers to suspend mobile data services in the district of South Kashmir, including Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, and Awantipora, on 5 February 2021 (between 00:01 to 20:00 local time) to maintain law and order during Kashmir Solidarity Day that was observed in neighboring Pakistan. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries.

Authorities ordered local telecommunication providers to suspend mobile data services in the district of Pulwama from 29 January 2021 (20:00 local time) to 31 January 2021 (20:25 local time) to maintain law and order following terrorist activities in the region. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries.

Impact on court hearings: https://twitter.com/LiveLawIndia/status/1354298899867947009

Delhi and Haryana local law and order administrations ordered for Internet services to be suspended in parts of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi and Haryana on 26 January 2021 from 12:00 to 23:59 local time in the "interest of maintaining public safety" during protests. 3G and 4G services were temporarily suspended in areas of Singhu, Ghazipur, Tikri, Mukarba Chowk, and Nangloi and their adjoining areas in the NCT of Delhi, and mobile services were throttled to 2G speeds. One report indicated that the Internet was not fully restored in most areas that were initially cut off on 26 January, and the shutdowns in at least two districts were extended until 5 February 2021. The order was passed under Rule 2 of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, which empowers the Union home secretary and state home secretaries to direct telecom operators to suspend telecom services. The order for Delhi was approved by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla but was signed by Shailendra Vikram Singh, deputy secretary (cyber and information security) in the MHA. The order for Haryana was signed by Rajeev Arora, the additional chief secretary (home) for the state. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries. From a technical standpoint, such shutdowns can have unintended consequences too. In the case of India's largest telco, Jio, which is fully IP-based, these orders mean even voice calls are suspended.

Internet services were suspended in Shopian and Pulwama districts in Indian on 30 December 2020. It is believed to have been imposed under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, which allows the government to impose curfews and other restrictions in order to maintain public order. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country, or in other countries.