India had 84 internet shutdowns in 2024, the most among democratic countries and second only to Myanmar, which had 85, based on a report by digital rights group Access Now.

This is the first time in six years that India does not occupy the number one spot in the world for the largest number of internet shutdowns. In 2023, there had been 116 shutdowns, a marginal decline this year. It still leads among the democratic countries to impose such outages.

Why these internet shutdowns?

Access Now's report, published on Monday, found that of the 84 shutdowns in India, 41 were protest-related and 23 were due to communal violence. Also, authorities implemented five shutdowns during government employment placement exams.

Over 16 states and Union Territories had at least one shutdown in 2024, with Manipur leading the pack with 21 shutdowns. Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir were next, each having 12 disruptions.

Are internet blackouts restricting India's digital growth?

Experts say that regular internet shutdowns are counter to India's ambitions of becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence, digital governance, and technological skilling.

“Shutdowns are incompatible with India’s global leadership ambitions, whether on AI, digital governance, or skilling. In no other democracy are people cut off from connectivity without oversight or accountability, year after year,” said Namrata Maheshwari, senior policy counsel at Access Now.

The Telecommunications Act 2023 and the Telecom Suspension Rules 2024 are also criticised, digital rights activists say that these rules do not bring in necessary safeguards. Maheshwari urged authorities to cancel rules that breach digital rights and requested to work towards a shutdown-free India in 2025.

Even though parts of the new telecom law were put into effect last year, critics say that the Telecom Act continues to have provisions from the colonial-era Telegraph Act of 1885. These pieces of legislation enable the government to impose shutdowns without independent scrutiny.

Shut-down orders are currently scrutinized by a three-member committee made up of central and state secretary-level officials. Nevertheless, the absence of an independent review process raises doubts regarding transparency and accountability.

Internet blackouts: An international problem

Internet shutdowns continued to be a serious international problem in 2024, with governments in 54 nations imposing a combined total of 296 shutdowns. The Asia-Pacific region saw 202 shutdowns alone across 11 countries. Myanmar, India, and Pakistan contributed to more than 64% of all international shutdowns.

Violence and conflict were the primary causes, with 103 shutdowns attributed to active conflicts in 11 countries, including India. Shutdowns were also used by authorities during protests, instability, exams, and elections, usually to quell reports of human rights violations.

“Shutdowns destabilise societies, undermine digital progress, put entire communities at risk, and provide a cloak of impunity for human rights abuses. Authorities from Myanmar to Pakistan are isolating people from the rest of the world with impunity, reflecting the rising digital authoritarianism in Asia,” said Raman Jit Singh Chima, Asia Pacific Policy Director at Access Now.

Which platforms were most restricted

In addition to complete internet shutdowns, governments around the globe also blocked access to individual online platforms. The report noted that 71 platforms were blocked in 35 countries in 2024, up from 53 in 2023.

Social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, was most often blocked, being restricted 24 times in 14 countries. TikTok and messaging app Signal were each blocked 10 times in several countries.

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