---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Richard Hill <rhill@hill-a.ch> Date: Wed, Feb 8, 2017 at 9:16 PM Subject: [Internet Policy] SFLC.in launches information portal, 'internetshutdowns.in' To: "internetpolicy@elists.isoc.org" <InternetPolicy@elists.isoc.org> FYI -----Original Message----- From: Forum [mailto:forum-bounces@justnetcoalition.org] On Behalf Of Mishi Choudhary Sent: Wednesday, February 8, 2017 19:06 To: Forum@Justnetcoalition. Org Subject: [JNC - Forum] SFLC.in launches information portal, 'internetshutdowns.in' Dear All, SFLC.in launched 'http://www.internetshutdowns.in <http://internetshutdowns.in/>', a new portal, that includes an interactive map with detailed records of instances,where blanket bans on internet services were imposed in India. Till date, our data reflects 62 incidents of Internet shutdowns across various regions in 12 states, with 30 being reported in 2016 itself, and 4 instances in the first month of 2017. It also revealed that the number of shutdowns increased more than two fold from 14 in 2015 to 30 in 2016. Mishi Choudhary, President and Legal Director at SFLC.in said, "There is a global consensus that access to Internet is a human right, in a digital and connected world. Yet, many countries block Internet services as responses to conflict situations, or even for trivial reasons such as to prevent cheating during examinations. Unfortunately, these shutdowns not only imperil civil liberties, but also grievously hurt the economy, as a recent report by the US policy think-tank Brookings Institution showed. The shutdowns in 2015-16 cost Indian businesses an estimated amount of $968 million (Rs 6,485 crore). As the pace of shutdowns increases, the costs will mount, particularly given the new emphasis on transactions by Internet payment systems linked to Aadhaar. Shutdowns are a very imprecise means of achieving any social end, imposing immense collateral damage. In democracies, essential social facilities should not be turned off by the State, which acts in the peoples' interests. The dependence on mobile Internet services for public safety and order, education, business, and family life is a fact of our existence. It should not be intentionally broken by government, pursuing one form of 'law and order' at the expense of all other social functioning." "Internet shutdowns are a global, not merely an Indian problem," said Ms Choudhary. "SFLC.in has been working with Access Now on its global campaign to study and reverse the adoption of shutdown policies around the world. We acknowledge their assistance and leadership in this area." This resource portal also provides users with the option to report an Internet shutdown in their vicinity to keep the shutdown tracker up to date with disruptions SFLC.in has recently written to the Additional Secretary of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Dr. Ajay Kumar requesting him to take requisite action to ensure that stable and reliable Internet services are assured to citizens, especially at a time when the Digital India programme is encouraging e-governance initiatives and the Government is advocating for transactions through cashless modes. Per SFLC.in's record, the state of Jammu and Kashmir has experienced highest number of shutdowns (27 since 2012). Out of the total 62 shutdowns recorded since 2012, 44 were targeted at mobile Internet services, 8 targeted both, fixed-line and mobile Internet services, while no conclusive information was available for 10 incidents and no shutdowns targeting fixed-line services alone were recorded during their period of study. ### About SFLC.in: SFLC.IN is a donor supported legal services organisation that brings together lawyers, policy analysts, technologists, and students to protect freedom in the digital world. SFLC.IN promotes innovation and open access to knowledge by helping developers make great Free and Open Source Software, protect privacy and civil liberties for citizens in the digital world by educating and providing free legal advice and help policy makers make informed and just decisions with the use and adoption of technology. You can support <https://www.instamojo.com/@SFLCin> their work by making tax-deductible donations and providing feedback. *Software Freedom Law Centre* *K-9, second floor, Jangpura Extension, New Delhi, India* *www.sflc.in * *email: mail@sflc.in * *Ph: 011-43587126* -- _______________________________________________ To manage your ISOC subscriptions or unsubscribe, please log into the ISOC Member Portal: https://portal.isoc.org/ Then choose Interests & Subscriptions from the My Account menu. -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254733206359 Skype: barrack.otieno PGP ID: 0x2611D86A