#internet shutdowns

In 2024, the world witnessed a significant surge in government-ordered internet shutdowns, reaching an alarming total of 296 incidents reported globally. This number marked the highest ever recorded in a single year, according to a detailed report by Access Now, an advocacy group dedicated to promoting digital rights. India at the Forefront India emerged as a notable contributor to these…

In Pakistan, internet disruptions have posed significant challenges for the growing IT sector. To address these challenges and ensure that IT hubs, tech parks, software houses, and call centers continue to function smoothly, the Ministry of Information Technology (IT) has embarked on a policy initiative aimed at providing uninterrupted internet connectivity. This move is particularly crucial for…

Supreme Court to Scrutinize Internet Shutdowns in Landmark Case @neosciencehub #SupremeCourt #InternetShutdown #neosciencehub #digitalrights #stateauthorityinIndia

The Supreme Court recently took up a pivotal case concerning the regulation of internet shutdowns across India, in response to a writ petition filed by the Software Freedom Law Center. The Center has challenged the rationale behind the imposition of 12 internet shutdowns totalling over 71 hours last year, ostensibly to prevent cheating during examinations. Senior advocate Vrinda Grover,…

The Chairman of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) recently stated that the registration of virtual private networks (VPNs) could potentially put an end to internet shutdowns in Pakistan. According to the PTA Chairman, the government has already registered a significant number of VPNs under a policy that was first introduced in 2016. This initiative could be a major step towards…

The high-level roundtable "Guaranteeing Access to Information in the Age of the Internet" will discuss access to information and internet shutdowns and restrictions in the context of the Vienna Declaration adopted at the World Conference on Human Rights, in 1993. It will call on effective access to the Internet and other digital technologies for the sake of ensuring fundamental human rights. 

Moderator: Mr James Deane, Co-founder of, and consultant to, the International Fund for Public Interest Media and former Director of Policy and Learning, BBC Media Action (UK)

Speakers:

Mr Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information (UNESCO)

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon Minister of State (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, Commonwealth and the UN) and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (UK)

Mr Joe Powell, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Open Government Partnership)

Mr John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner (UK)

Ms Kate O'Regan, Director, Bonavero Institute of Human Rights of the University of Oxford (UK/South Africa)