India with highest number of internet shutdowns for 4th time in a row

India for the fourth consecutive year has emerged as the country with the highest number of internet shutdowns, a report released by tech policy think tank Access Now has found. Reasons for internet shut down ranges from curbing protests to preventing online frauds.

The report by Access Now stated that in 2021, authorities deliberately shut down the internet at least 182 times across 34 countries.

And out of the 182 times, the report stated that India has blacked out the internet at least 106 times.

India topped the list by a longshot compared to others at the top of the list which include Myanmar (at least 15 times), Sudan and Iran (both at least five times each).

Out of the total 106 shutdowns, 85 were found in Jammu and Kashmir alone.

“India disrupted the internet at least 106 times — making it the world’s leading perpetrator of Internet Shutdowns for the fourth consecutive year. 85 were in the Jammu and Kashmir region, where authorities have imposed the world’s longest-running shutdowns,” said Access Now.