As protests continue across India, we are seeing a rise in digital rights violations, including serious threats to press freedom.
Internet shutdowns are cutting off communication. Content is being taken down and blocked, accounts suspended, and posts shadow banned to curb free speech. WhatsApp has been suspended in some instances, and the Government has now ordered BitChat to be blocked, an app that works offline over Bluetooth without an internet connection. Surveillance is also increasing, with reports that the Delhi Police is monitoring protesters and journalists using body-worn cameras, camcorders, smart AI glasses, permanent towers for videographers, and facial recognition CCTV. Devices are being searched and seized.
At SFLC.in, we have been working to respond. We have approached the Delhi High Court to challenge the mobile internet shutdown in Central Delhi. We are tracking content takedowns and censorship on our Free Speech Tracker. And through RightsLine, our pro-bono legal helpline, we are providing free legal help to anyone facing takedowns, shutdowns, gendered harassment, or the seizure of their devices.
We have prepared a list of these toolkits and informational resources to help you know your rights and stay connected when it matters most.
Share these pocket cards with your community
We have designed a set of pocket-sized cards you can print and hand out on the ground. Each card has a front and a back, and they are sized like a standard playing card, 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches, so they slip easily into a pocket or wallet.
Print them, carry them, and pass them around your community during the protest.
Get free legal help through RightsLine
Through RightsLine, our pro-bono legal helpline, we provide free legal assistance to anyone facing content or account takedowns and suspensions, internet shutdowns, gendered harassment, or the search and seizure of electronic devices.
You can report an issue and seek immediate support by clicking here.
The Delhi internet shutdown, and what we are doing about it
SFLC.in has filed a petition before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court challenging the orders suspending mobile internet services in parts of Central Delhi during the July 2026 protests. The matter was listed before Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia on 24 July 2026, and is now listed to be heard on Monday, 27 July 2026.
You can read our statement on ongoing internet shutdowns here
Our Internet Shutdown Tracker monitors and documents shutdowns across India.
If you or someone you know is participating in protests and experiencing an internet shutdown, report it to us on RightsLine. Help us keep the public informed and build a record of these disruptions.
Stay connected when the internet is down
When mobile data and Wi-Fi are cut off, you can still reach the people around you. We have put together a list of privacy-friendly messaging apps and platforms you can rely on, some that work fully offline and others that need a connection.
Update: The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered GitHub to remove three URLs linking to BitChat, an app that works offline without an internet connection and enables users to communicate over Bluetooth. This order was issued under Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, read with Rule 3(1)(d) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
Read SFLC.in’s complete statement here
Know your rights if your device is searched or seized
If you are stopped and asked to hand over your phone, you have rights. Our toolkit gives you the essentials at a glance, and the full guide walks you through what to do, step by step.
Handy toolkit at a glance:
Read the full guide available in over 6 regional languages, here.
Content takedowns and censorship
There have been several instances of content being taken down and censored during the protests. You can read our statement on this here.
We are also tracking these takedowns and creating a repository as they happen on our Free Speech Tracker.
SFLC.in is here to provide free legal assistance for any content takedown or account suspension that you or or people you may know are facing. You can contact us and seek legal assistance at RightsLine.
Online Gender Based Violence
Online gender-based violence can take many forms, from targeted harassment and doxxing to the non-consensual sharing of images. No one should have to face this alone. We have put together a guide that walks you through your options, how to document what is happening, and the steps you can take to protect yourself.
Access the guide here, available in over 5 regional languages, here
And if you are facing online gender-based violence, you can reach us through RightsLine for free legal help.
This resource list is continuously been updated.
