India led the world last year in internet shutdowns that affected hundreds of millions of people, as governments cracked down on political rivals and tried to suppress protests.
The digital rights campaign Access Now has said that governments in 2020 increasingly used shutdowns in response to ongoing violence, especially in conflict zones. At least 155 internet shutdowns in 2020 disrupted access for people in 29 countries, including 28 full internet blackouts, the report said. India consistently restricts access more than any other country, accounting for the lion’s share in 2020 with at least 109 disruptions, according to the Access Now report. The next highest was Yemen with six shutdowns.