Government Enforced Internet Blackouts in India Demonstrate a Need for Decentralization

Authoritarian governmental control and censorship of the internet have been increasing in countries like China and Iraq in the past few years. Data analysis by Software Freedom Law Center has actually revealed India to be the world leader in internet shutdowns.

The Most Guilty

According to Slate, in 2017 alone, India accounted for about 70 percent of shutdowns globally and has recorded 300 shutdowns in the past six years. This fact is even more surprising considering that India is widely considered to be a democratic country. There can be many reasons that a government has for intentionally cutting off its citizens from accessing the internet—some legitimate, while others are more questionable. Rampant cheating on important exams to get into the best schools and receive certifications has been increasing in India. The government has been known to blackout the internet during some of these exam periods to prevent test-takers from cheating via a mobile device. Security is another big issue as the internet allows for easy contact and organization, but has also been abused by separatist groups and protestors in violent situations.

Cry for Decentralization

This information should come as no surprise considering that India has taken quite a hard line when it comes to digital currencies and blockchains. Governments are beginning to realize the disruptive potential that these instruments have as well as how hard they can be to control. For the time being, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has banned banks from providing service to accounts using funds dealing in virtual currencies. This meant the end of cryptocurrency exchanges operating within the country’s borders. It’s becoming increasingly more difficult for governments to suppress the internet as other decentralized alternatives are being developed. Regulators in India are yet to be persuaded to fully come on board and are actively working against something that could benefit the citizens and the government alike. Do you think India will continue to be the global leaders in internet shutdowns? Will people turn to blockchains and digital currencies to alleviate some of these problems? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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