The submission to United Nations analyses the legal basis of internet shutdowns in India, the instances of disruptions, their impact on human rights and the efforts by the Indian Government to improve internet connectivity.
The Standing Committee on IT has published its report on ‘Suspension of telecom services/internet and its impact’. The report has a range of recommendations including a review of the legal regime for suspension of internet services and establishing a database of internet shutdown orders.
In May 2021 the Government of J&K suspended internet services on three occasions, without promptly publishing suspensions orders. Foundation of Media Professionals has addressed a legal notice to the Government of J&K asking them to comply with directions of the Supreme Court in Anuradha Bhasin.
We wrote to the Rajasthan Government expressing concerns about unauthorised government officials imposing internet shutdowns and lack of periodic review and proactive publication of internet shutdown orders.
Internet Freedom Foundation wrote to the Home Department of Jammu and Kashmir and key central government departments about the unlawful blocking of access to virtual private networks (VPNs) in J&K.