[bestbits] SFLC.in launches information portal, 'internetshutdowns.in'

[Mishi Choudhary]

Dear All,

SFLC.in launched 'http://www.internetshutdowns.in
<http://internetshutdowns.in/>', a new portal, that includes an
interactive map with detailed records of instances,where blanket bans on
internet services were imposed in India. Till date, our data reflects 62
incidents of Internet shutdowns across various regions in 12 states,
with 30 being reported in 2016 itself, and 4 instances in the first
month of 2017. It also revealed that the number of shutdowns increased
more than two fold from 14 in 2015 to 30 in 2016.

Mishi Choudhary, President and Legal Director at SFLC.in said, "There is
a global consensus that access to Internet is a human right, in a
digital and connected world. Yet, many countries block Internet services
as responses to conflict situations, or even for trivial reasons such as
to prevent cheating during examinations. Unfortunately, these shutdowns
not only imperil civil liberties, but also grievously hurt the economy,
as a recent report by the US policy think-tank Brookings Institution
showed. The shutdowns in 2015-16 cost Indian businesses an estimated
amount of $968 million (Rs 6,485 crore). As the pace of shutdowns
increases, the costs will mount, particularly given the new emphasis on
transactions by Internet payment systems linked to Aadhaar. Shutdowns
are a very imprecise means of achieving any social end, imposing immense
collateral damage. In democracies, essential social facilities should
not be turned off by the State, which acts in the peoples' interests.
The dependence on mobile Internet services for public safety and order,
education, business, and family life is a fact of our existence. It
should not be intentionally broken by government, pursuing one form of
'law and order' at the expense of all other social functioning."

"Internet shutdowns are a global, not merely an Indian problem," said Ms
Choudhary. "SFLC.in has been working with Access Now on its global
campaign to study and reverse the adoption of shutdown policies around
the world. We acknowledge their assistance and leadership in this area."

This resource portal also provides users with the option to report an
Internet shutdown in their vicinity to keep the shutdown tracker up to
date with disruptions SFLC.in has recently written to the Additional
Secretary of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Dr.
Ajay Kumar requesting him to take requisite action to ensure that stable
and reliable Internet services are assured to citizens, especially at a
time when the Digital India programme is encouraging e-governance
initiatives and the Government is advocating for transactions through
cashless modes.

Per SFLC.in's record, the state of Jammu and Kashmir has experienced
highest number of shutdowns (27 since 2012). Out of the total 62
shutdowns recorded since 2012, 44 were targeted at mobile Internet
services, 8 targeted both, fixed-line and mobile Internet services,
while no conclusive information was available for 10 incidents and no
shutdowns targeting fixed-line services alone were recorded during their
period of study.

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About SFLC.in:

SFLC.IN is a donor supported legal services organisation that brings
together lawyers, policy analysts, technologists, and students to
protect freedom in the digital world. SFLC.IN promotes innovation and
open access to knowledge by helping developers make great Free and Open
Source Software, protect privacy and civil liberties for citizens in the
digital world by educating and providing free legal advice and help
policy makers make informed and just decisions with the use and adoption
of technology. You can support <https://www.instamojo.com/@SFLCin> their
work by making tax-deductible donations and providing feedback.

*Software Freedom Law Centre*

*K-9, second floor, Jangpura Extension, New Delhi, India*

*www.sflc.in  *

*email: mail at sflc.in *

*Ph: 011-43587126*


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