{"id":156623,"date":"2025-02-25T20:08:46","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T14:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/?post_type=current-affairs&#038;p=156623"},"modified":"2025-02-25T20:08:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T14:38:46","slug":"global-internet-shutdowns","status":"publish","type":"current-affairs","link":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/current-affairs\/global-internet-shutdowns","title":{"rendered":"Global Internet Shutdowns"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A total of 296 Internet shutdowns occurred globally in 2024, the <\/span><b>highest recorded in any year so far.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Key Findings on Internet Shutdowns<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-156596 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/251-67bdbaa8b6739.webp\" alt=\"Global Internet Shutdowns\" width=\"351\" height=\"257\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/251-67bdbaa8b6739.webp 678w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/251-67bdbaa8b6739-300x220.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 351px) 100vw, 351px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Myanmar<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> had the<\/span><b> most shutdowns (85),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while India accounted for<\/span><b> 28% of global shutdowns with 84 instances,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> making it the<\/span><b> second-highest<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite Myanmar leading in the number of shutdowns,<\/span><b> India had the highest number of government-imposed Internet restrictions,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> enforced by both Union and State governments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>India witnessed fewer shutdowns in 2024 compared to the previous year.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shutdowns in India were reported across<\/span><b> 16 states and Union Territories<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with the<\/span><b> highest occurrences in:<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manipur : 21 shutdowns<\/span><\/li>\n<li><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-156597 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/252-67bdbaa7c6954.webp\" alt=\"Global Internet Shutdowns\" width=\"350\" height=\"255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/252-67bdbaa7c6954.webp 627w, https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/252-67bdbaa7c6954-300x219.webp 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Haryana : 12 shutdowns<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jammu &#038; Kashmir : 12 shutdowns<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Reasons for Internet Shutdowns in India<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>41 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shutdowns were<\/span><b> imposed due to protests.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>23 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shutdowns were enforced<\/span><b> in response to communal violence.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>5 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shutdowns were imposed<\/span><b> ahead of key exams in 2024.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>About Internet Shutdown<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An internet shutdown is an intentional disruption of internet or electronic communications, rendering them inaccessible or effectively unusable, for a specific population or within a location, often to exert control over the flow of information.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-size: 16pt;\"><b>Pros and Cons Of Internet Shutdown<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.5971%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 49.1352%;\"><b>Pros\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center; width: 50.9834%;\"><b>Cons<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.1352%;\"><b>Prevents Misinformation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Stops the spread of fake news and rumors during crises.<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50.9834%;\"><b>Disrupts Communication:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Affects essential services, businesses, and emergency responses.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.1352%;\"><b>Enhances Security<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Helps control riots, communal violence, and terrorism-related activities.<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50.9834%;\"><b>Hurts Economy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Leads to financial losses for businesses, especially digital platforms.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.1352%;\"><b>Safeguards Exam Integrity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Prevents cheating in competitive exams.<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50.9834%;\"><b>Affects Education: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online learning and research are impacted.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.1352%;\"><b>Maintains Law and Order:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Assists in managing protests and civil unrest.<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50.9834%;\"><b>Violates Rights:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Restricts freedom of speech and access to information.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><b>Sabu Mathew George v. UoI Case (2018),<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the Supreme Court held that <\/span><b>Right to Access Internet is a basic fundamental right Under Article 19.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.1352%;\"><b>Protects National Interests: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can be used during cyberattacks or external threats.<\/span><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 50.9834%;\"><b>Reduces Global Reputation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Frequent shutdowns harm a nation\u2019s democratic image.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/div>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Provision for Internet shutdown in India:\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Temporary Suspension of Telecommunication Services Rules, 2024<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Temporary Suspension of Telecommunication Services Rules, 2024 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">were issued under the <\/span><b>Telecommunications Act, 2023 (&#8220;Telecom Act&#8221;).<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Telecom Act replaces outdated laws, including:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Indian Telegraph Act, 1885<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Indian Wireless Telegraph Act, 1933<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><b>Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act, 1950<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>2024 Rules supersede the 2017 rules<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which were framed under the <\/span><b>Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Who Can Order an Internet Shutdown?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>At the National Level :<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Home Secretary of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has the authority to impose an Internet shutdown.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>At the State Level :<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Secretary in charge of the State Home Department is authorized to issue shutdown orders.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>In Unavoidable Cases<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:\u00a0 If neither of the above officials is available, a<\/span><b> Joint Secretary at the Centre can issue the shutdown order.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Conditions for Shutdown Orders<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>shutdown order must be published<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and should<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clearly state the <\/span><b>reasons for the Internet suspension.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>geographical area of the shutdown<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> must be explicitly defined in the order.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The duration of the shutdown<\/span><b> cannot exceed 15 days<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A copy of the shutdown order must be submitted to the <\/span><b>Review Committee within 24 hours for assessment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review Committee must<\/span><b> evaluate the legality of the shutdown within 5 days.<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the shutdown order is found to be unlawful, the<\/span><b> committee has the authority to set it aside.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Review Committee Composition<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>At the Central Level: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cabinet Secretary, Legal Affairs Secretary and Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>At the State Level: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">State Secretary, Law Secretary and Another Secretary (excluding the Home Secretary)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Implementation Mechanism:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Law enforcement agencies must <\/span><b>appoint nodal officers in every State and Union Territory<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to oversee the enforcement of Internet shutdown orders.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"vc_table_green\"><\/p>\n<table style=\"width: 99.6375%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 111.19%; text-align: center;\" colspan=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: 18pt;\"><b>Also Read<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/editorial-analysis\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Editorials<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/daily-current-affairs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>UPSC Daily Current Affairs<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"width: 49.797%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/quiz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Daily Current Affairs Quiz<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"width: 61.393%; text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/mains-answer-writing\/\" 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far.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":156605,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"paper-wise":[2084],"subject":[2124],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/156623"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/current-affairs"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=156623"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/156623\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":156627,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/current-affairs\/156623\/revisions\/156627"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/156605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=156623"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=156623"},{"taxonomy":"paper-wise","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/paper-wise?post=156623"},{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pwonlyias.com\/stage\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=156623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}