Scam record · 2020 · Policy harm
Internet shutdowns: world's frequent pause button
India repeatedly ranks among the top countries for government-ordered internet shutdowns. Officials cite riot control. Students, journalists, and traders cite collective punishment of a whole region.
When the net dies, exams, payments, and reporting die with it. Rights groups track India as a shutdown heavyweight year after year.
Supreme Court in Anuradha Bhasin said indefinite suspension is not a free tool. Practice on the ground still looks like rolling orders.
Government: public order. Citizens: opacity and overkill. Contested policy harm with measurable frequency.
What is proven here
Proof level: contested. Shutdown counts come from rights trackers and news tallies. Each order has its own stated emergency. Pattern claim ≠ every shutdown was illegal.
Sources
- Access Now: #KeepItOn shutdown reports (Open data)
- Internet Freedom Foundation on Manipur shutdown legality (News + docs)