Indian State with most of the internet shutdown for the 4th time, 85 in J&K itself: Report
Apart from India, others at the top of the list including Myanmar (at least 15 times), Sudan and Iran (both of them at least five times)
New Delhi: For the fourth year in a row, India has emerged as a country with the highest number of internet closures for reasons ranging from curling protests to prevent online fraud, a report issued by Tech Policy Think Tank Access has now been found.
From 106 shutdown, 85 was found in Jammu and Kashmir only.
“In 2021, the authorities deliberately closed the internet at least 182 times in 34 countries. India is the largest actor in the world, and blackened the internet at least 106 times, “said the report.
The report, however, noted that the amount was lower than in 2020 – 109. Besides India, others at the top of the list including Myanmar (at least 15 times), Sudan and Iran (both at least five times each).
The internet shutdown occupies its peak in Jammu and Kashmir, where the authorities continue to impose deliberate disturbances that last over a long period due to the threat of cross -border terrorism.
There is a constant trend in the number of internet shutdown in this country, usually for law and order, or security considerations, as requested by the Secretary of the State House, or Secretary of the Union House. In 2020, India saw the highest number of internet shutdown in 109 of the total 155 instances worldwide.
The report also stated that the government in the Asia-Pacific region applied at least 129 internet closure in seven countries-Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Pakistan.
“The Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Communication and Information Technology released reports that highlight the abuse of internet shutdown, and their impact on rights and freedom. However, it did not condemn its use at all, and failed to state one of the most important facts from the internet shutdown: they could never be justified, “the report added.
Considering countries that have closed the internet during protests, the report highlights that India is also one of these countries. “India is also among at least 18 governments that impose cellular internet shutdown during protests, including in a clear effort to suppress large -scale farmers’ protests. India also closed the internet at least four times to stop students from cheating on the exam, “said the report.
According to a report released by Top10VPN, a Global Digital Privacy Group and Research Group, India’s valuable internet shutdown $ 2.8 billion, placed the top Asian country in the list of 21 countries that curb the web access of citizens in 2020.
“India, the second worst country by Pandemi Covid-19 in terms of infection that was confirmed as a whole, contributed about three-quarters of $ 4 billion lost worldwide due to internet sidewalks. The loss is more than doubled compared to 2019, a report from the British -based Digital Privacy and Security Research Group shows, “Bloomberg reported last year.
