Key developments: India set a global record with 65 internet shutdowns in 2025 and continues to use digital tools to control dissent, with 84 shutdowns in 2024 largely tied to protests. The government’s push to dominate social media platforms—mandating ministers to post performance reports on Instagram, X and Facebook—illustrates a widening gap between state‑run digital infrastructure and ordinary citizens’ access to open online spaces.
Why it matters: The aggressive use of shutdowns and content takedowns curtails citizens’ ability to share information, organize protests, and hold authorities accountable, deepening the digital divide between those with state‑approved channels and those seeking independent expression. As the public increasingly relies on digital devices for news—88% of U.S. adults report using smartphones, computers or tablets at least sometimes—the exclusion of large populations from reliable internet undermines democratic participation and access to essential services.
What to watch next: Watch for civil‑society responses, including the development of open‑source digital tools aimed at bypassing censorship and documenting state failures. International attention on India’s shutdown record may prompt policy debates on internet freedom. Monitoring how other democracies address similar digital divides—particularly in relation to government‑mandated social‑media engagement—will be critical for understanding the global trajectory of digital rights. [[1, 2]]