Regional shutdown
Mobile Internet Services
Telangana
On March 8, 2021, authorities suspended mobile internet services in Bhainsa town, located in the Nirmal district of Telangana, following violent communal clashes that broke out the previous day. The shutdown was implemented as a reactive measure to prevent the spread of inflammatory rumors on social media and to maintain law and order following civil unrest.
This disruption, imposed alongside Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, significantly hindered citizens' access to emergency information and disrupted local communication. While the government justified the blackout as a tool for maintaining law and order, digital rights advocates highlight that such shutdowns limit the ability of residents to contact family and verify official safety updates during times of crisis.
- Total Duration 1 day
India
- Population
- 1,463,865,525
Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Partly Free
Local impact
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.
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