For the first time the government has declared the shutdown of the Internet.

The government has declared the rules for shutting down Internet for the first time

      Internet shutdown in India is now becoming more common; Mainly because of the spread of social media and messenger apps. Whenever the local administration thinks that the situation can get out of control during the unrest, they shut down the Internet.

  

      But not for a long time. In its first decision, the Communications Ministry has given instructions on Internet shutdown in India. And local administrators, including District Magistrate and District Mayor.

Internet shutdown rules and regulations

            The Telecom Service (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017, 'Temporary Suspension,' issued by Telegraph Act 1885, has been registered by the Ministry of Notification Communication. According to the proposed rules, in the case of a government, the Secretary of State, the Home Ministry, the State Department of Homeland Security can order the Internet to close in a particular area. In an emergency, the Joint Secretary authorized by the Union Home Secretary (or the above mentioned order) can also issue a command, which will be the 24-hour Central Home Secretary.

                At the state level, the Secretary of State Government of Charge of the Home Department can order the Internet to be stopped. In an emergency, the joint secretary authorized by the State Home Secretary can also issue an Internet shutdown order, which will be reviewed by the State Home Secretary within 24 hours. Therefore, the district's local administrators no longer have any authority related to Internet shutdown. The respective telecom operators, ISPs and "Telegraph Authority" are told by "the order of shutdown Internet order" not below the police superintendent or equivalent rank.

Internet shutdowns are expensive

               A report prepared by the Software Freedom Law Center (SFLC) found that the closure of each Internet could damage the business and community by 148 million rupees. From 2012 to January 2017, Internet shutdown has been registered 62 times, which means that an Internet shutdown costs around Rs. 9000 crores has been spent. The government has done commendable work by setting rules for shutting down the Internet in India, but now, the rules are still unclear. These decisions will be taken in the coming days to take into account the main factors





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