India witnessed an internet shutdown for 1,157 hours in 2021, and it has cost the economy $582.8 million, as per the report by the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) submitted on internet shutdowns in India to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
IFF quoting reports by Top10VPN and Access Now, and data from the Software Freedom Law Center and Meta further stated, In 2020, the internet was suspended for 8,927 hours, more than anywhere else in the world, costing the Indian economy $2.8 billion. In 2019, the internet was suspended in India for 4,196 hours, costing the Indian economy $1.3 billion. This amounts to 14,280 hours of internet suspensions over three years and represents a loss of nearly $4.7 billion
IFF also pointed out that internet shutdowns are used to prevent individuals from collectivizing against decisions of the government as was evident when the internet was disrupted during protests against Citizenship Amendment Act or those against farm laws. This is despite the fact that the government has not conducted any analysis on whether internet shutdowns improve law and order concerns.
The Connectivity Tracker report published in January 2022 found that despite the low cost of data in India ($0.68 per GB), in 10 out of 28 States and 2 out of 8 Union Territories less than 40% of women regularly use the internet. Moreover, only 1 out of 3 people access the internet in rural areas, while in urban areas people have, on average, more than one internet connection.
