Regional shutdown
Mobile data, SMS
Punjab
Authorities suspended mobile Internet and SMS services in the Patiala district in Punjab on 30 April 2022 (between 9:30 to 16:00 local time) to maintain law and order following a clash between two groups the day before. The Punjab government said the decision had been taken in the public interest with a view to stopping the spread of misinformation and rumors, through social media platforms. 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.
- Total Duration 6 hours
India
- Population
- 1,438,069,596
Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Partly Free
Local impact
Authorities suspended mobile Internet and SMS services in the Patiala district in Punjab on 30 April 2022 (between 9:30 to 16:00 local time) to maintain law and order following a clash between two groups the day before. The Punjab government said the decision had been taken in the public interest with a view to stopping the spread of misinformation and rumors, through social media platforms. 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.