Internet Shutdowns

Local Impact

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.

Experiences

“The Union Government must stop using internet shutdowns as its go-to tool to quell political protests and demonstrations,” said Raman Jit Singh Chima, Senior International Counsel and Asia Pacific Policy Director at Access Now. “On India’s Republic Day, the government-ordered internet shutdown affecting hundreds of thousands of people in these areas of Delhi is not just inconsistent with a 21st Century Digital India, it directly violates the Constitution of India which the day seeks to celebrate.” Source: Access Now

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