SRINAGAR — Authorities in Ladakh have taken preemptive measures in response to the prevailing security situation by opting to decrease the mobile internet speed to 2G.
A recent directive, issued by Dr Shiv Darshan Singh (IPS), Additional Director General of Police and Head of Police, UT of Ladakh, cited concerns over the potential misuse of mobile data services by anti-social elements and miscreants to incite public unrest via social media platforms. The decision aims to maintain public peace and uphold law and order in the Union Territory.
"Upon consideration of various inputs and aspects, it has been deemed absolutely necessary to scale down the Mobile Data Services to 2G, thereby suspending 3G, 4G, 5G & Public Wi-fi facilities temporarily in the interest of maintenance of public peace," the order stated.
The directive specifically mandates the reduction of internet speed in Leh city within a 10 km radius from 1800 Hrs on April 6, 2024, to 1800 Hrs on April 7, 2024.
NEW DELHI — In preparation for the impending 2024 elections across 90 nations, Surfshark's Research Hub has unveiled a comprehensive analysis exposing a disturbing global trend – increased internet restrictions jeopardizing the integrity of electoral processes. The report reveals a correlation between internet blackouts and compromised freedoms, as governments manipulate digital communication to control public narratives.
Lead Researcher Agneska Sablovskaja warns that election season often brings a wave of internet shutdowns around the world. He informed that their Research Hub's examination of internet freedom in 196 countries indicates a significant link between digital censorship and broader violations of personal, civil, and economic freedoms.
The study finds that among the countries gearing up for elections in 2024, 12 have a history of imposing internet restrictions during electoral periods. Since 2015, 75% of these interventions involved severing network connectivity, disrupting the essential flow of information crucial for transparent electoral processes. Other measures predominantly included social media blackouts, hindering citizens' communication, organization, and ability to voice objections.
Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia under scrutiny
The report sheds light on the disproportionate impact on specific regions, with Sub-Saharan Africa leading with 29 reported cases of election-related internet censorship since 2015, closely followed by Southern Asia with 28 incidents. Countries in these areas, including Mali, Malawi, Chad, Mauritania, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, face heightened risks of internet blackouts as their elections approach.
The spring season presents significant challenges for India and Iran, gearing up for parliamentary elections under the shadow of their records of internet clampdowns. India, with four instances since 2015, and Iran, with three, are displaying worrisome patterns that suggest a continuation of digital suppression tactics in the upcoming elections.
Additionally, Belarus, entering the election arena with its upcoming parliamentary elections, raises concerns based on the extensive internet disruptions experienced during its latest presidential election. The strategic blocking of social media channels, particularly Twitter, highlights a trend of stifling political participation and societal dialogue through digital means.
As nations gear up for 2024 elections, Surfshark's findings underscore the pressing need for vigilance against the escalating threat to internet freedom during critical democratic processes.
NEW DELHI — Surfshark, a cybersecurity company, has conducted a comprehensive analysis of the 2021 UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution on human rights on the internet. The study revealed that despite supporting the resolution, India and 13 other countries have imposed significant internet restrictions, raising concerns about their commitment to safeguarding online freedoms.
Analyzing UN resolution and Surfshark's Internet Shutdown Tracker
The UN resolution on human rights on the internet aims to protect and promote the fundamental rights of individuals in the digital realm. Surfshark undertook an examination of countries' positions in the resolution and cross-referenced them with data from their Internet Shutdown Tracker.
This analysis allowed Surfshark to identify 14 countries that not only pledged their support for the resolution but also violated their commitment by implementing internet restrictions.
Governments manipulating public and stifling free speech
In an era where internet shutdowns have become a grave concern, authoritarian governments frequently exploit such measures to manipulate the public and suppress free speech. The UN resolution seeks to openly condemn these shutdowns and other forms of online speech restrictions.
However, it is disconcerting that despite public support for the resolution, 14 countries resorted to imposing internet restrictions. It is crucial to promote an open and accessible internet and exert pressure on nations to uphold their commitments concerning human rights online.
According to Gabriele Racaityte-Krasauske, Surfshark spokeswoman, "In today's world, internet shutdowns have become a major concern. The UN resolution on human rights on the internet aims to make countries openly condemn these shutdowns and other ways of restricting online speech. It's important to promote an open and accessible internet and pressure countries to uphold their commitments regarding human rights online."
Countries violating the pledge
The countries identified by Surfshark's analysis include India, Sudan, Cuba, Uzbekistan, Burkina Faso, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Armenia, Indonesia, Mauritania, Nigeria, Somalia, and Ukraine. Surfshark's Internet Shutdown Tracker has recorded a total of 58 internet disruptions in these 14 countries during or after the adoption of the resolution.
Most of the restrictions on free internet were placed in India, says SurfShark study
India's troubling record
Among the countries, India stands out as the most significant violator, with 19 instances of internet disruptions since the adoption of the resolution in 2021. It is worth noting that if we include the Jammu & Kashmir region, the number of disruptions would be even higher, amplifying concerns about the country's commitment to a free and open internet.
Other notable offenders
Sudan follows closely with nine restrictions, the first occurring amidst the 2021 military coup. Meanwhile, Nigeria and Ukraine had ongoing restrictions at the time of the resolution's adoption but did not impose new restrictions since then. Nigeria had banned Twitter a month prior to the adoption, and the ban persisted until January 2022.
Ukraine's blocking of popular Russian apps in 2017 as part of sanctions in response to the annexation of Crimea remains in effect. It is important to note that Ukraine's case cannot be classified as anti-democratic censorship but rather as a response to counter Russian propaganda.
Looking ahead and holding nations accountable
The Human Rights Council convenes regular sessions to address crucial global issues, including human rights on the internet. The upcoming 53rd session in the summer of 2023 will play a significant role in shaping the agenda regarding these rights.
Surfshark remains vigilant in monitoring any updates related to UN resolutions on human rights on the internet, emphasizing the need to hold nations accountable for their actions.
Conclusion
Surfshark's study shines a light on the disconcerting actions of countries that publicly supported the UN resolution on human rights on the internet but subsequently violated their commitments.
With the proliferation of internet restrictions globally, it is essential to ensure an open and accessible internet that respects individuals' rights. Continued scrutiny and pressure are crucial to encouraging governments to uphold their pledges and protect online freedoms for all.
NEW DELHI — Surfshark recently released the Global Internet Value index (IVi), which uncovers countries that are overpaying for their internet connection plan. India is in 44th place in the world, with an index 26% lower than the global average. Oceania and Europe lead the world in internet value, while internet affordability in North America, South America, and Africa is below average. Globally, only 4 out of 10 people get their internet at fair prices, while the remaining 61% overpay for the internet they get.
Global Internet Value index (IVi) is calculated by dividing each country’s internet speed by internet affordability to determine which countries are overpaying for their internet. According to Surfshark’s data, India ranks 44th globally with an index of 0.0542, which is 26% lower than the global average, meaning Indians are overpaying for the internet they get compared to other countries worldwide.
Regarding regional position, India ranks 10th, with its index 28% lower than Asia's average. India is in 1st place in Southern Asia. Countries like Bangladesh and Nepal rank 83rd and 77th, respectively, both overpaying for the internet they get. India has a 416% higher index compared to Bangladesh, and a 271% higher index compared to Nepal.
“Internet Value index offers to look at internet connection from a practical perspective - whether we get what we pay for. Even economically affluent countries with relatively fast internet can overpay compared to others worldwide,” says Agneska Sablovskaja, Lead Researcher at Surfshark. “However, some countries may have slower internet but also pay a considerably lower price, which is then considered fair.”
Out of the five Asian subregions, Eastern Asia has the best internet value
Four out of 10 people in Asia can access the internet at a fair price compared to the rest of the region. Out of the five Asian subregions, Southern Asia performs the worst, with its index 79% lower than the Asian average. Every country in Southern and Central Asia overpays for internet connections since they all have an internet value index lower than the regional average. Israel takes the lead in Asia with the best internet value index, followed by Singapore and South Korea.
Graphical representation of internet value across Asia | Courtesy: Surfshark
Out of the five Asian subregions, Eastern Asia performs the best, with an index 64.5% higher than the Asian average. Pakistan and Tajikistan formed part of the three lowest-ranking Asian countries, while Yemen has the worst internet value index across Asia.
78% of European people get their internet at fair prices. Denmark takes the lead in Europe with an index nearly four times higher than the European average, closely followed by France. The three lowest-ranking countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and North Macedonia, are all located in Southern Europe.
In North America, seven out of every 10 individuals can access the internet at a fair price. The United States outperforms Canada regarding internet value. None of the countries that form part of the Latin American and the Caribbean subregion of North America have above-average internet value. 59% of South Americans get their internet at a fair price. Chile is South America's leader in internet value, followed by Uruguay and Brazil.
Oceania’s internet value index is 2.5 times higher than the global average. Australia ranked 5th in the world, and New Zealand ranked 25th overall.
Surfshark's study covers 117 countries
This study ranks 117 countries and territories based on the Internet Value index (IVi), which is determined by fixed broadband internet and mobile internet speed-to-affordability ratios.
Pillars have four indicators directly influencing the quality to affordability aspect: 1) time to work to afford fixed broadband internet (hours). 2) time to work to afford mobile internet (hours). 3) median fixed broadband download speed (Mbps). 4) median mobile internet download speed (Mbps).
Here are the key takeaways:
✹ India is in 44th place in the world, with an index 26% lower than the global average. ✹ In terms of regional position, India ranks 10th with its index 28% lower than Asia's average. India is in 1st place in Southern Asia. ✹ Indians get their internet for 416% more value compared to Bangladeshis and 271% more value compared to Nepalis. ✹ Oceania and Europe lead the world in internet value, while internet affordability in North America, South America, and Africa is below average. ✹ Globally, only 4 out of 10 people get their internet at fair prices, while the remaining 61% overpay for the internet they get - almost 5 billion people.
