Thread by @internetfreedom

Internet shutdowns are shutting down innovation in India. The economic losses are massive. Facts and figures. Thread. 1/n

“The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce last year estimated losses of thousands of crores..the banking sector faced disruptions in transactions amounting to Rs 1,500 crore daily.” Op-ed @apar1984 + @tame_wildcard October 2016 indianexpress.com/article/opinio…
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@apar1984 @tame_wildcard “India this year joined the ranks of countries, including Uganda, Algeria, and Iraq, that have disrupted internet services in response to concerns over students cheating on exams...Economic losses include $968 million in India” Brookings, October 2016 brookings.edu/wp-content/upl… 3/n

@apar1984 @tame_wildcard “Even in countries with lower connectivity, the Internet ecosystem enables a growing share of economic activity…” Global Network Initiative, October 2016 globalnetworkinitiative.org/wp-content/upl… 4/n

@apar1984 @tame_wildcard “16315 hours of Internet shutdown in India cost the economy approximately $3.04 billion during the period 2012 to 2017…”Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, April 2018 icrier.org/pdf/Anatomy_of… 5/n

@apar1984 @tame_wildcard “twelve thousand crore rupees and about a lakh jobs have been laid-off.” Sheikh Ashiq, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, December 2019
thekashmirwalla.com/2019/12/how-yo…

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@apar1984 @tame_wildcard When the Internet is shutdown, India is shutdown. We must all unite and fight against internet shutdowns. Sign @kunalkamra88’s petition against them right now! 6/6 change.org/p/stop-interne…