Internet access was blocked more than 187 times in 35 countries last year. Kashmir, India, which has been disputed over territorial sovereignty for decades, Ukraine, which is at war, and Iran, where anti-hijab protests have been held, are at the top of the list.
According to Access Now, an international human rights organization related to the Internet, on the 6th, India implemented 84 Internet shutdowns last year.
Most were recorded in the disputed region of Kashmir, where internet access was cut off for more than 100 days.
India has been engaged in constant conflict with China and Pakistan on its borders. China, which shares a border with India of 3,500 km, has continued territorial disputes in Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh as the border has not been finalized even after the war in 1962.
When India and Pakistan gained independence from Britain in 1947, they were separated into two countries and began to have serious conflicts. In particular, they fought two wars over sovereignty over Kashmir.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and anti-hijab protests in Iran also led to internet shutdowns. Ukraine recorded 22 shutdowns last year. “They are all the result of Russian cyber strikes targeting the country’s communications infrastructure,” Access Now said.
In Iran, internet access was blocked 18 times, including Instagram and WhatsApp. In Myanmar, where the military took power in a coup in 2020, internet access was cut off a total of seven times.
“Authors or aggressors in 35 countries have chosen internet shutoff as the ultimate goal of silencing voices during protests, active conflicts, elections and political instability,” said Access Now. “provided a shield against which human rights violations could be committed with impunity,” he pointed out.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.