INTERNET SHUTDOWNS

NEWS: Internet Shutdowns in 2025 report by Access Now NGO released for Keepiton Coalition

Key Highlights

• 2025à Record 313 internet shutdowns (across 52 countries, continuing the rise from 2023)
• Indiaà Recorded 65 shutdowns ( lowest since 2017 but highest in any democracy, 2nd highest overall).
• Indiaà Orders are legally published, but still it deems shutdowns incompatible with democracy.

Concerns related to internet shutdown

• International Criminal Courtà linked internet shutdowns to crimes against humanity, noting they help perpetrators evade accountability.
• Governance & Welfareà Disruption of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT)
• India lost ~$323 mn due to internet shut down in 2024
• Access to the internet is under right to education and privacy under Article 21 (Faheema Shirin v. State of Kerala (2019)
• Freedom to trade and commerce via internetàArticle 19 (Anuradha Bhasin v UoI)

Legal Provisions: India

• Governed by Telecommunications (Temporary Suspension of Services) Rules, 2024 under Telecommunications Act, 2023.
• Authority: issued by Union Home Secretary/ state home secretary
• Mandating publicationà including detailed justifications, geographical scope, and affected services.
• Suspension duration cannot exceed 15 days.