Internet Shutdown: Is It Violation of Fundamental Rights?

Abstract

Internet shutdowns are now on the increasing. In countries where more citizens depend on social networking networks and mobile payment services, the consequences of network failures are incredibly harsh. These disturbances impact a country's total expenditure profile, hinder economic development, threaten the digital economy's supply chain, and contribute to democratic demobilization and self-censorship. This paper objectively examines the influence of internet shutdowns on communities focused on specific Kashmir instances. Internet shutdowns have been commonplace as demonstrated by the pace at which the two governments utilized such communicative raptures and attacks to stifle the free flow of media, freedom of speech and freedom of expression. This paper seeks to analyze the results. In addition to the short-term consequences, there are also long-term impacts that linger even after restored online and social networking sites. It further seeks to push past the divisive discussion and consider solutions to the closure including turn it going and switch it off. We also explore the scope of regulation as it comes to shutdowns being enforced and executed.