The practice of shutting down the internet is often used in response to real or potential unrest in many countries. Shutdowns usually occur when the internet or mobile apps are deliberately disrupted, often by a government.
However, it has faced widespread criticism as it is a severe restriction on freedom of expression and an infringement on people’s daily lives, particularly when used to silence dissent.
Internet shutdowns and deliberate slowdowns have become increasingly prevalent worldwide once again. According to Access Now, India has recorded the highest number of shutdowns by far, with 84 in 2022 alone. In comparison, other countries with the next highest number of shutdowns recorded around 20 each.
In Ukraine, it was not the government but invading Russian forces who cut the internet 22 times in 2022 to disrupt communications.
India holds the unenviable distinction of being the country with the highest number of internet shutdowns. Shutdowns in India are concentrated in Kashmir but also occur in Rajasthan, where they have been employed during protests, both as a preemptive measure and during the actual protests.
In recent months, shutdowns have also been enforced during exams. Both regions have experienced violence stemming from tensions between Hindus and Muslims, with Kashmir also experiencing unrest in connection with the Muslim-led independence movement.
As the internet has become increasingly integral to daily life, limiting access to it can have significant financial repercussions.
In India, the frequent and lengthy shutdowns have proven to be a costly affair. According to a report by Top 10 VPN, the intentional downtime of approximately 1,500 hours in 2022 alone has cost the Indian economy $164 million, ranking it sixth in the world in terms of economic losses.
Source: Statista
You use the flag blindly even without knowing the fact that this is a political map is India in Kashmir and GB included. If you use a map of Pakistan in India that includes Kashmir until now you would be attacked. So please stop the copy paste and use your brain.
Agreed. And it’s first thing noticed in article instead of the content itself.
You stupid Idiot. AJK is a part of India now?. Even you have shown Gilgit Baltistan as a part of India.? Naqal kay liay bhi aqal ki zaroorat hoti hay. So the bad internet connection is AJK is the responsibility of India now.
Also let me tell you that I am a Pakistani but eyes and ears are open. India is exporting IT worth 60 Billion US Dollars. The top IT companies of the world operate from India. What we have in Pakistan?. We cannot even achieve 2 biilion and we are mocking India?. Stop this fake stupid patriotism please.
This is so unprofessional that you are doing copy paste from other platforms, and didn’t even bother to check the map.
Even after nine days, no one of Propakistani moderators bothered to act and remove the map. That is height of unprofessionalism!