Keepiton coalition (by Access Now) is a global civil society alliance working to end internet shutdowns.
Key Highlights
- Global Snapshot: 2025 saw a record 313 internet shutdowns ( across 52 countries, continuing the rise from 2023
- India: recorded 65 shutdowns ( lowest since 2017 but highest in any democracy, 2nd highest overall).
- India Exception highlighted : Orders are legally published, but still it deems shutdowns incompatible with democracy.
Concerns related to internet shutdown
- Human rights abuses : International Criminal Court linked internet shutdowns to crimes against humanity, noting they help perpetrators evade accountability.
- Governance & Welfare: eg. Disruption of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT)
- Economic Impact: India lost ~$323 mn due to internet shut down in 2024
- Impacts Fundamental Rights: access to the internet is under right to education and privacy under Article 21 (Faheema Shirin v. State of Kerala (2019)
- Freedom to trade and commerce via internet falls under Article 19 (Anuradha Bhasin v UoI)
- Democratic Deficit: Hinders press freedom, the right to information, and civil society mobilization.
Legal Provisions for Internet Shutdown in India:
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