IGF 2018 WS #207
Internet shutdowns in Asia Pacific & how to mitigate it

The Internet restrictions are now a common action of the governments like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka to curb the free flow of information. They appear to believe that the internet may be a restrictable and controllable entity. But in really Free and openness of the internet made it very hard to control. The Internet Acess is considered as a right. Also, the UN Human Rights Council in its resolution 32/13 (a non-binding resolution) “unequivocally condemned” “measures to intentionally prevent or disrupt access to or dissemination of information online in violation of international human rights law, and called upon all States to refrain from and cease such measures.”

Between 2012 and 2018, India has witnessed 159 incidences of internet shutdowns around the country. This worrying trend of cutting off internet access in response to political or social volatility is growing in South Asia, parts of Africa and West Asia. Internet shutdowns cause disruption to everyday life and affect the economy, businesses, education, access to information, essential and emergency services, and mental health. Digital Empowerment Foundation’s research on internet shutdowns has found that prolonged internet shutdowns cause residents’ mistrust in their government and the democratic process.

Even third-world countries like Sri Lanka are heavily reliant on knowledge-based service incomes and tourism. It directly affects industries economically. In Sri Lanka, a recent shutdown of the Internet for nine days is estimated to have cost the country. US$30 million Hidden losses inflate the costs. So we will discuss impact in several perspectives such as economic, technical, social, gender-based, differently able community,... etc.

With so much of our interactions – social and economic – taking place via internet enabled services, cutting off access to the internet is undemocratic and violates the freedom of expression and freedom of association and assembly. In 2016, access to the internet was declared a human right by the UN Human Rights Council.

The capability of the internet to empower is very high. The Internet can be the vehicle to reach most of the SDG goals. The nature of Internet had allowed people to think it as an anonymous watchdog, which is a media that uncover deals behind the scenes etc. This creates a need to control the internet to prevent their ill-acts. Governments, political parties, some civil organizations advocate of Internet Restrictions over the ill-uses of the Internet such as promoting violence, harassment, defamations, fake news etc. We need Internet Governance procedures to mitigate such ill-acts to prevent the better internet. As IG activist we should be open to all the perspectives, but in the grounds, states play a major role in internet Restrictions.