Regional shutdown
Odisha
Odisha authorities ordered mobile Internet services to be suspended across the Bhadrak and Dhamnaghar districts for 48 hours from 28 September 2024 to prevent the spread of inflammatory messages in the wake of community unrest sparked by a social media post.
- Total Duration 3 days, 16 hours
India
- Population
- 1,450,935,791
Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Partly Free
Local impact
Reports suggest that these orders are extended for a further 48 hours. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact citizens' ability 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.
Related documentation
The #Odisha government has suspended internet services in the #Bhadrak district for 48 hours in view of clash between two communities over a controversial social media post. pic.twitter.com/ZlpWTcvfOv — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 28, 2024
Other supporting information
It’s difficult to measure the effect of local/regional Internet shutdowns as most measurements are done at a country level. Learn more
Social media
Shutting down the internet can't be the only solution in the digital age. In #Odisha #Bhadrak, why can't we have proper firewalls with an allowed list for essential services like banking, financial transactions, and other critical activities? How will people working from home… — Shubham Nayak (@shubhamknayak) September 29, 2024
Odisha government Sunday extended the suspension of internet services in Bhadrak district for two more days to restore normalcy after violence erupted between two groups over an “objectionable” social media post.#Internet #Bhadrak #Odisha pic.twitter.com/Ff0rkDZIZC — Orissa POST Live (@OrissaPOSTLive) September 29, 2024