Access Now’s latest report highlights the alarming trend of internet shutdowns around the world, with India leading the pack by imposing the highest number of shutdowns in 2023. The state of Manipur, India, experienced a 212-day internet shutdown last year, affecting 3.2 million people and making it difficult to document atrocities committed during violent clashes between tribes. The shutdown in Manipur was just one of many instances where authorities in India used this tactic as a response to crises, with a total of 116 shutdowns recorded in the country in 2023.
The global report by Access Now reveals that 2023 was the worst year for internet shutdowns, with a total of 283 shutdowns recorded across 39 countries. This marks a 41% increase from the previous year and a 28% increase from 2019, which previously held the record for the highest number of shutdowns. The report highlights the detrimental impact of internet shutdowns on human rights, as they hinder communication, documentation of human rights abuses, and access to information.
In conflict zones, internet shutdowns are often used in conjunction with acts of violence to control information flow and communication. In the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military employed various tactics, including direct attacks on civilian infrastructure, restrictions on access to electricity, and technical disruptions, to shut down the internet. This demonstrates how internet shutdowns are used as a tool to exert control and suppress dissent in conflict-affected areas.
The report emphasizes the need for governments to respect human rights and rule of law when considering internet shutdowns as a response to crises. Access Now calls for greater transparency and accountability in decision-making processes related to internet shutdowns, as well as for international cooperation to address this growing trend. The organization also advocates for the development of legal frameworks that protect digital rights and prevent arbitrary shutdowns.
Overall, the report by Access Now sheds light on the increasing prevalence of internet shutdowns worldwide and their detrimental impact on human rights. From Manipur, India, to conflict zones like the Gaza Strip, internet shutdowns are being used as a tool to control information and suppress dissent. The report calls for greater transparency, accountability, and legal protections to safeguard digital rights and prevent the arbitrary use of internet shutdowns.
