Governance
World’s longest internet shutdown: How it wreaked havoc in Manipur
Disruption in Manipur: What happens when the Internet shuts down? When the Internet goes dark, its absence casts a profound shadow over communities. In early May 2023, in Manipur, a state in northeastern India, life was upended by outbreaks of violence between communities, followed swiftly by a gove…
Headline
Disruption in Manipur: What happens when the Internet shuts down? When the Internet goes dark, its absence casts a profound shadow over communities. In early May 2023, in Manipur, a state in northeastern India, life was upended by outbreaks of violence between communities,…
Context
When the Internet goes dark, its absence casts a profound shadow over communities. In early May 2023, in Manipur, a state in northeastern India, life was upended by outbreaks of violence between communities, followed swiftly by a government-imposed Internet shutdown. This was the world’s longest internet shutdown of 2023. For seven long months, Manipur’s residents endured the loss of crucial online services, from remote work and telemedicine to distance education. Without the digital tether, they were cut off from the world, unable to voice their plight or seek assistance.
Evidence
Pending intelligence enrichment.
Analysis
Saadia Azim, a public policy expert, emphasized, “The Internet provides a space where everyone can be equal. In India, even local merchants who cannot read or write use the Internet to make and receive payments. When you take that away, you cut people off from basic services, threaten their livelihoods, deepen the digital divide, and inevitably worsen conflict.” Also read: African internet outage was caused by subsea cable break Also read: Facebook and Instagram experience widespread outages However, the government’s rationale for the blackout – to restore peace and curb misinformation – backfired spectacularly. Instead of quelling unrest, the shutdown exacerbated chaos, leaving businesses crippled and livelihoods endangered. False reports proliferated unchecked, exacerbating tensions.
Key Points
- Disruption in Manipur: Early May 2023 violence followed by a seven-month internet shutdown – world’s longest internet shutdown of 2023, cutting off vital services and exacerbating tensions.
- Marginalized communities suffer the most: Gender minorities unable to access healthcare, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the blackout.
- Advocacy and awareness: Saadia Azim and others speak out against shutdowns, with initiatives like the NetLoss calculator aiming to raise global awareness of the economic consequences.
Actions
Pending intelligence enrichment.
