NEW DELHI, Feb 24: More Internet shutdowns happened globally in 2024 than in any past year, but despite the long-drawn trouble in Manipur, India did not impose the highest number of Internet shutdowns in the last year with Myanmar topping the list with one additional disruption, according to a report by advocacy body Access Now.
However, the number of shutdowns imposed by the government in charge — the Union and State Governments in India and the military junta in Myanmar, is still higher in India.
Fewer shutdowns happened in India in 2024 than the previous year. “People in 16 States and [Union] Territories experienced a shutdown, with State Government officials in Manipur (21), Haryana (12), and Jammu & Kashmir (12) topping the list of offenders in India,” the report said. “Of the 84 shutdowns in India, 41 shutdowns were related to protests, and 23 were related to communal violence.”
Globally, 296 Internet shutdowns happened in 2024, the report found, and India’s cumulative 84 curbs accounted for 28% of these. 85 were imposed in Myanmar, and 11 of these were a result of other countries and groups: “China imposed two [shutdowns on areas in Myanmar] and Thailand four, while the exiled National Unity Government (NUG), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) imposed one shutdown each in areas they controlled. The remaining two shutdowns were imposed by unknown parties,” the report said.
A particular focus of anti-shutdown advocates’ ire has been examination-related shutdowns. India imposed five such shutdowns ahead of key exams in 2024. One was during the General Graduate Level Combined Competitive Examinations in Jharkhand, which took place for a five-and-a-half hour period from September 22 morning through the afternoon.
That same month, Assam also imposed similar shutdowns in most districts for government job exams. Rajasthan issued a shutdown for the Rajasthan Public Service Commission exam in January. Exam related Internet shutdowns are a disproportionate response to the possibility of cheating in exams, Access Now said.
(Manas Dasgupta)
