Blackout bravado!

It seems internet shutdowns are a new-normal, be it a democratic or an autocrat dispensation. An earth-shaking report by 'Access Now' has surprised the pundits of civil liberties by pointing a finger at India. New Delhi was found to be on the oppressive side of the divide by scuttling dissemination of information, despite being the world's largest democracy. An independent profiling of its record reveals that it indulged in a minimum of 84 shutdowns in 2024, the highest of any elected government, and surprisingly France was also seen rubbing shoulders in the race.

Myanmar, unsurprisingly, found a second berth among countries that believe in cracking down hard on social media and free flow of information, with Russia and Ukraine leaping into making their presence felt in restricting online discourses. It is painful to learn that the governments are increasingly becoming intolerant, and digital blackouts to suppress dissent are in vogue. The New York-based digital rights group documented 296 internet shutdowns across 54 countries in 2024, and the trend seems to be irreversible.

Pakistan was the third contender in pushing political activism to the wall, as it posted an utterly autocratic behaviour during the year 2024 with 21 internet shutdowns. The most condemnable act was during the general elections of February 8, 2024 when a blanket closure of the internet was imposed, and the ballot was maneuvered in a shameful manner. Moreover, off and on internet suspension or slowdowns were witnessed whenever the opposition rallied for its due space, and fundamental rights of free flow of information, freedom of speech and association were barred.

The closure of VPN, outlawing of social media website 'X', and a ban on Instagram were the order of the day, as WhatsApp users were seen struggling to have access with voice and pictures delivery. To compound the situation were anti-media libel laws such as PECA, bolstered with a firewall, putting freedom of the press to a naught. Despite its economy nosediving, Pakistan had the audacity to take on a staggering loss of $1.62 billion owing to various digital restrictions.