Mishi Choudhary The Internet has long been identified as one of the
greatest technological advancements of recent times, and has proven
over the years to be a critical enabler of social and economic
change. As observed by the Outcome Document of the High-Level
Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Overall
Review of the Implementation of WSIS Outcomes, ICTs including the
Internet have seen penetration into almost all corners of the
globe, created new opportunities for social interaction, enabled
new business models, and contributed to economic growth and
development in all other sectors. It was further observed that
increased ICT connectivity, innovation, and access have played a
critical role in enabling progress on the Millennium Development
Goals. The frequent resort to Internet shut downs by the State as a
mitigation and prevention strategy, mostly in the developing
countries is a cause of concern. From 2013-2016, India has
experienced 32 Internet shut downs for varying reasons across 10
states (http://sflc.in/internet-shutdown-tracker-india-2013-2016/).
The reasons for suspension of Internet services India span an
entire spectrum, ranging from disabling cheating in an exam to
preventing a protest from happening during a cricket match. Apart
from India, Internet shut downs have been reported in Bangladesh,
Mynamar, in South Asian region; Egypt, Congo, Syria, Sudan, Burundi
in the African continent; Iraq, in the Middle East, and even parts
of South America, like Venezuela have experienced such this
suspension of Internet services. Frequent resort to Internet shut
downs by the State is tantamount to a tool for curbing dissenting
opinions, restricting organization of protests, disabling authentic
reporting from the areas hit by unrest or violence, and obstructing
the flow of information, thereby putting a halt to the inclusive
nature of the Internet. Against this backdrop,we would like to have
a talk followed by discussion to facilitate a better
understanding of the causes and impacts for such shut downs,
including the legal frameworks that permit such actions. This is a
blanket form of censorship being practiced by democracies and not
just totalitarian regimes.
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