India Ranks Second in Global Internet Shutdowns in 2024, Myanmar Tops the List
New Delhi : India has ranked second globally in internet shutdowns in 2024, according to a report by Access Now, a digital rights group. This marks the first time since 2018 that India has not topped the list, with Myanmar taking the lead. The report states that Myanmar witnessed 85 shutdowns, while India followed closely with 84.
The global trend of internet restrictions is rising, with 54 countries imposing 296 shutdowns in 2024, compared to 283 shutdowns in 39 countries in 2023. In India, these shutdowns were primarily implemented due to protests, communal violence, exam cheating prevention, and elections. Out of 84 shutdowns, 41 were linked to protests, 23 to communal violence, while others were connected to elections and anti-cheating measures.
Among Indian states, Manipur recorded the highest number of internet shutdowns (21 times) due to ongoing violence, followed by Jammu and Kashmir (12 shutdowns) and Haryana (12 shutdowns).
Apart from India and Myanmar, other countries experiencing significant internet shutdowns in 2024 included Pakistan, Russia, Ukraine, Palestine, and Bangladesh. In 2023, Pakistan had 21 shutdowns, Russia 13, Ukraine 7, Palestine 6, and Bangladesh 5.
The rising frequency of internet blackouts in India has sparked serious concerns about freedom of expression, access to information, and digital rights. Critics argue that these restrictions disproportionately affect marginalized communities, particularly during periods of communal tension and social unrest.
As governments worldwide continue to use internet shutdowns as a tool to control information flow, calls for greater accountability and transparency in their application are growing louder. The Muslim community in India, along with digital rights activists, has voiced increasing alarm over the impact of these shutdowns on public discourse and democratic participation.
