India’s internet shutdowns in 2024: a comparative snapshot

In fact, India’s figure of 84 shutdowns in 2024 is surpassed only by Myanmar, which endured 85 shutdowns under the military junta’s rule. This marks a significant shift in the global context as, for the first time in six years, India is no longer the global leader in internet shutdowns. Despite this, the report emphasizes that India remains the country with the highest number of shutdowns among democracies. As Access Now’s report highlighted, the reasons behind these shutdowns vary, with 41 of them linked to protests, 23 tied to communal violence, and others related to elections, government job exams, and regional instability.

State-wise impact: the effect of shutdowns across India

India’s diverse states also bear the brunt of these internet blackouts. According to the report, states such as Manipur, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir saw the most significant number of shutdowns in 2024. Manipur, in particular, stood out with 21 shutdowns, which significantly impacted the daily lives of its citizens as Manipur was on the boil since May 3, 2023.

Namrata Maheshwari, Senior Policy Counsel at Access Now, points out the inherent incompatibility between India’s frequent internet shutdowns and its global aspirations. India, which has set ambitious goals in fields like artificial intelligence, digital governance, and skilling, cannot afford to isolate its citizens from the benefits of connectivity. Maheshwari’s statement highlights the stark contradiction between India’s democratic values and the curtailing of rights through such shutdowns. She also draws attention to the lack of oversight and accountability within the current legal framework governing these internet restrictions.

The flaws in India’s Telecommunications Act of 2023

This issue is exacerbated by the Telecommunications Act of 2023 and the Telecom Suspension Rules of 2024, which have been criticized for retaining provisions from the colonial-era Telegraph Act of 1885. The existing framework allows for government-ordered internet shutdowns but does not offer sufficient safeguards, such as independent oversight, to ensure that these shutdowns are necessary, proportionate, and temporary. Currently, shutdown orders are reviewed by a three-member committee, composed of senior government officials, which critics argue lacks transparency and objectivity. These legal loopholes further strengthen the argument for the repeal of rights-violating laws and the establishment of a more robust, rights-respecting framework.

A global concern: the rising number of Internet Shutdowns

Globally, internet shutdowns are becoming an increasingly common tool used by governments to control access to information, especially in times of unrest or political tension. The Access Now report found that in 2024, a total of 296 shutdowns were recorded across 54 countries. Myanmar, India, and Pakistan alone accounted for over 64% of these disruptions. The rise in shutdowns can be linked to conflict, protests, elections, and attempts to cover up human rights abuses, as governments seek to control the flow of information during times of instability.

Digital authoritarianism

The global trend of government-imposed shutdowns reflects a larger movement toward digital authoritarianism, particularly in Asia. Countries like Myanmar, India, and Pakistan have increasingly relied on internet shutdowns to maintain control, suppress dissent, and avoid accountability. Raman Jit Singh Chima, Asia Pacific Policy Director at Access Now, underscores the detrimental effects of such actions, warning that they destabilize societies, hinder digital progress, and create environments where human rights abuses can occur unchecked. With internet shutdowns often serving as a means to suppress protests or cover up crimes, they raise serious concerns about the long-term consequences for democracy and human rights.

Censorship and platform blocking: the global reach of Internet Shutdowns

As the report reveals, platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Signal have frequently been blocked during shutdowns, with X emerging as the most blocked platform globally in 2024. This trend shows a growing pattern of censorship, as governments across the globe target specific platforms in efforts to control the flow of information, limiting access to online spaces where people can organize, communicate, or access critical news.

Legal provisions for Internet Shutdowns in India: concerns and criticisms

The legal provisions for internet shutdowns in India, which are primarily governed by the Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024 under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, raise several concerns. While the rules require authorities to publish suspension orders, detailing justifications, geographical scope, and affected services, the lack of independent oversight remains a critical flaw. The suspension duration is also capped at 15 days, but there is little guarantee that these restrictions are temporary, lawful, or proportionate, as mandated by the Anuradha Bhasin case judgment in 2020. The Supreme Court ruling emphasized that internet restrictions must be necessary and balanced, ensuring that they do not disproportionately impact citizens’ rights.

However, the situation in India highlights a broader global dilemma in which governments increasingly view the internet as a tool to maintain control and suppress dissent, rather than a fundamental right for their citizens. As the world moves further into the digital age, it is essential for governments, especially those in democracies like India, to reconsider their approach to internet governance. The onus lies on them to ensure that connectivity is preserved, human rights are respected, and safeguards are put in place to prevent abuse of power.

While the Access Now report provides a comprehensive overview of internet shutdowns in 2024, it also concerns urgent reform in how governments approach digital rights. The hope is that, in 2025, no one will face the risk of being cut off from the internet due to politically motivated restrictions or attempts to silence dissent. The global community must come together to push for a more open, accessible, and accountable digital future, where the fundamental right to access the internet is protected, and where the voices of individuals are not silenced by arbitrary shutdowns.

Full report can be accessed here:

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Within this period, India also experienced an internet blackout of 7,812 hours, while social media platforms remained inaccessible for 144 hours. Out of the 42 internet shutdown events recorded worldwide between January 1 and June 30, 2023, nine were concentrated in India. According to the tracker, Jammu and Kashmir saw the biggest number of internet shutdowns numbering at about 433, with Rajasthan coming next at 100, and Manipur coming third at 47 in 2024 alone according to the website internetshutdowns.in.

Since 2019, the report notes that over 609 major internet shutdowns have been recorded across 56 countries. This has reportedly contributed to a total loss of about $52.96 billion from the world economy as a direct result of government led internet shutdowns during this period.

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