India is Top in Internet shutdown Last Year Internet Access stops 84 Times

India ranks first in terms of internet shutdown in the world. India has topped the list for the fifth consecutive year. Last year, out of 187 internet shutdowns across the world, 84 happened in India. The highest number of 49 internet shutdowns were reported in Jammu and Kashmir in the country.

Digital rights group Access Now Report reported, “The authorities in Jammu and Kashmir had shut down the Internet at least 49 times due to political instability and violence.” About four years ago, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir and divided it into two centrally administered regions. Since then, communication restrictions have been imposed several times in Jammu and Kashmir for security-related reasons. Some organizations have also been opposing this and they call it a way of suppressing the protest.

Terrorist organizations have perpetrated violence in Jammu and Kashmir for more than three decades. India has accused Pakistan for this. However, Pakistan has denied this. Ukraine ranked second in internet shutdowns last year. Internet has been shut down in Ukraine at least 22 times since Russia’s invasion on February 24 last year. “During Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Russian forces have cut Internet access, conducted cyber attacks and deliberately damaged telecommunication infrastructure at least 22 times,” the report said.

internet shutdown last year Iran Was in third place. The Internet was shut down 18 times in Iran last year to control anti-government protests. Anti-government protests began in Iran on 16 September last year following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. Mahsa was arrested by the police in Tehran, the capital of Iran, for violating the rules related to hijab. Iran has strict rules for women to wear the hijab. People were incensed by the death of Mahsa in police custody. This was followed by massive anti-government protests.