Govt shouldn't block internet on 'flimsy grounds', says Parliament Panel led by Tharoor

A Parliamentary panel has called on the government to avoid internet shutdowns on "flimsy ground".

Noting that when the government's thrust is on digitisation, frequent suspension of the internet is uncalled for and must be avoided, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, has stated.

In its report titled 'Suspension of Telecom and Internet Services and Its Impact' the panel has called for defining the parameters and a “robust mechanism” for internet shutdown.

It noted that the suspension of telecom services and the internet frequently affected life and liberty of people.

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The Committee said, “When the Government's thrust is on digitisation and knowledge economy with free and open access to internet at its core, frequent suspension of internet on flimsy grounds is uncalled for and must be avoided.” “There is a need to monitor the exercise of this provision so that these are not misused to the disadvantage of people at large. The Committee, therefore, recommend that a proper mechanism is put in place at the earliest to decide on the merit or appropriateness of telecom/internet shutdowns,” it said in the report.

The Committee noted that internet is of immense importance in the present digital era.

“It is the lifeline which is propelling businesses and services, permitting students to enroll for important examination, and enabling home delivery of essentials. The Government is also taking several policy initiatives to promote digitisation in governance to take more and more Government services to the people at their doorsteps".

According to a report by Access Now, India witnessed the highest number of Internet shutdowns in the year 2020. India topped the list of 29 countries that disrupted internet access for people in 2020. Most of the incidents took place in India, some of the Middle Eastern countries, and some parts of Africa, according to the report.

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