Thread by @SFLCin

Last Month, the #SupremeCourt issued a notice to @GoI_MeitY on account of a PIL filed by @SFLCin challenging #InternetShutdowns imposed to prevent cheating in exams in Indian states.
The next hearing in the case will take place tomorrow.
Here’s everything you need to know: (1/n)

@SFLCin had filed a writ petition under Article 32 of the Constitution against the States of #ArunachalPradesh, #Rajasthan, #Gujarat and #WestBengal, challenging the arbitrary imposition of #InternetShutdowns during examinations.
The state of #Assam is impleaded as well. (2/n)

A total of 12 instances of exam-related #internetShutdowns were documented at @SFLCin's internet shutdowns tracker - internetshutdowns.in
There have been 3 more shutdowns, 2 in Assam and 1 in WB, after the petition was filed, bringing the total number to 15.
#KeepItOn (3/n)

The first-ever ban on mobile internet services due to exams was witnessed in Gujarat in 2016 where the shutdown lasted for 4 hours during the Revenue Accountants Recruitment Exam. 26 towns and cities were affected, including major industrial regions. (4/n)

#Rajasthan has accounted for the highest number of #InternetShutdowns during examinations. The state has gone back and forth on the issue multiple times, continuing to shut down the internet even after a notice from Jodhpur High Court.
#LetTheNetWork #KeepItOn (5/n)

In January 2020, the SC in Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India upheld that the Internet is a medium for exercising the fundamental freedoms guaranteed under Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(g) and ruled that the orders to shut down the internet must be made public. #LetTheNetWork (6/n)

Neither the Ministry of Telecom nor the Ministry of Home Affairs maintains the records of #InternetShutdowns in India. The data for our @NetShutdowns tracker is collated with the help of news articles and volunteers due to the absence of documentation. (7/n)

The IT standing committee's report on #InternetShutdowns report noted that several shutdown orders were based on a subjective judgment and are essentially executive decisions since there is a lack of objective parameters to determine their merit. (8/n)
sflc.in/it-standing-co…

Suspension of mobile internet services results in huge economic losses, especially for small business owners depending on digital payment services. Delivery partners & cab drivers face hurdles in doing their jobs as mobile internet is essential. (9/n)
#InternetShutdowns

Through our series 'Lost Voices', we document the voices of people adversely affected by internet shutdowns. Here's a businessman from Kashmir talking about the impact of internet suspensions on the lives of citizens: (10/n)

In the previous hearing on September 9 2022, the honourable Supreme Court agreed to hear @SFLCin’s PIL against arbitrary #InternetShutdowns during exams and issued a notice directing @GoI_MeitY to file its response. (11/n)

Stay tuned as we bring more updates tomorrow! (12/n)

#InternetShutdowns #SupremeCourt #SupremeCourtOfIndia

Help @SFLCin continue resisting #InternetShutdowns in India.
Support us by making a donation at sflc.in/donate
(13/13)

#DigitalRights #Internet #LetTheNetWork