Jammu and Kashmir Leads In Internet Censorship Count, Says Surfshark Study

The internet was censored 24 times in Jammu & Kashmir in 2022, making it the leading region in internet shutdowns globally while 10 additional cases were recorded across the rest of India, according to a report by virtual private network (VPN) provider Surfshark on Thursday.

While Surfshark says the internet censorship yearly recap shows that 4.2 billion people were affected by internet censorship in 2022 globally, Asia accounts for nearly half (47 per cent) of all new cases in 2022.

“The Jammu and Kashmir region took the lead by case count, with 24 recorded internet disruptions. 10 additional cases were recorded across the rest of India", says the report of Netherlands-based firm.

Gabriele Racaityte-Krasauske, spokeswoman of Surfshark says, more than half of the world’s population was affected by internet censorship last year. She says many of these cases involved full internet disruptions on a local or national level. “These can be devastating and extremely dangerous, especially during wartime, protests, or violent government repressions. Internet restrictions can make it difficult or even impossible to mobilize people for the defence of democracy, contact loved ones, access news sites, and spread information to the outside world on what’s happening”, the spokesperson said.

Asia continues to lead by internet disruption count as 11 Asian countries imposed new internet disruptions in 2022, bringing a total of 58 cases. Africa follows Asia as the second most disruption-intensive region, with 5 countries imposing 13 restrictions. Sudan takes the lead in Africa by disruption count (4), followed by Burkina Faso (3) and Zimbabwe (3).

Surfshark lists a few of the most worrisome internet censorship events in Asia in 2022:

•      June - India disrupts internet access amid military recruitment protests.

•      September - mass-scale internet disruptions in Iran in the wake of Mahsa Amini’s death.

•      The Jammu and Kashmir region accounted for 24 new disruption cases in 2022 - more cases than any country in the world.

The Internet Censorship Tracker was developed by Surfshark in partnership with internet watchdog NetBlocks. The research tracks partial and complete internet and social media shutdowns in 196 countries and territories from 2015 onwards.

"Through the past year, we’ve seen how governments have used internet shutdowns and telecommunications blackouts as a tool of repression and control, silencing journalists, civil society, and the general public. Internet connectivity today underpins all human rights, which is why it’s more critical than ever to document mass-censorship incidents and find ways to get people reconnected", said Alp Toker, Director, NetBlocks said.