The central government’s lack of assessment on the economic and social impacts of internet shutdowns in India has raised concerns among lawmakers and activists. Union Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani revealed in a written response to the Lok Sabha that no evaluation has been conducted to gauge the effects of these shutdowns. This revelation comes at a time when internet shutdowns have become a common tool used by authorities to maintain law and order in various parts of the country.
The minister also stated that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is not engaging in consultations with civil society, activists, subject matter experts, and researchers on the framing of rules for internet suspension under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. This lack of consultation raises questions about the transparency and accountability of the government’s decision-making process regarding internet shutdowns.
In response to questions raised by Congress MPs Gaurav Gogoi, Benny Behanan, Sukhdeo Bhagat, and Harish Chandra Meena, the minister clarified that the government has not received any significant reservations from public or private operators regarding the provisions that allow the government to seize control of telecom services for security and public order reasons. This lack of pushback from stakeholders suggests that there may be a lack of awareness or concern about the potential implications of these provisions.
Section 20 of the Telecom Act, 2023, which grants the government the power to suspend telecom services for national security and public order reasons, was implemented on June 26. However, the rules governing its implementation are yet to be prescribed. While the DoT has released draft rules for consultation under other provisions of the Telecom Act, rules under section 20 have not been released for public input.
On the other hand, section 21 of the Telecom Act, which allows the government to take control of or suspend telecom services for reasons related to national security, friendly relations with foreign states, or during wartime, does not require delegate legislation for operationalization. This raises concerns about the broad powers granted to the government under the Act and the potential for misuse or overreach.
The lack of transparency and accountability in the government’s approach to internet shutdowns is further highlighted by the response to a question about district-wise and month-wise details of shutdown orders issued between 2018 and 2024. The government’s stance that it does not maintain details of state government or union territory-issued shutdown orders raises questions about the oversight and monitoring of these actions.
According to the Netloss calculator run by the Internet Society, internet shutdowns in India have led to a GDP loss of over $14 billion between January 1 and August 8 this year. This staggering figure underscores the significant economic impact of internet shutdowns and the need for a comprehensive assessment of their effects on society and the economy.
In conclusion, the lack of assessment, consultation, and transparency in the government’s approach to internet shutdowns in India raises serious concerns about the impact of these actions on the economy and society. It is essential for the government to conduct a thorough evaluation of the economic and social implications of internet shutdowns and engage with stakeholders to ensure that these measures are used judiciously and in the interest of public welfare.