There have been multiple reports of Internet speed throttling in the Union Territory of which can be accessed e accessed here and here.
The Union Territory of Lakshadweep currently has almost 2,000 active COVID-19 cases. During the deadly second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Internet has become even more crucial with citizens looking for resources online. Students have been taking online classes, businesses have been running online, professionals are working from home and telemedicine is enabling citizens to access medical help. Citizens in the entire country have been looking for life saving resources such as essential drugs, oxygen cylinders, hospital beds and ambulance services online. In absence of stable internet, vaccination appointments cannot be booked as Vaccination appointments for the age group of 18-44 years are available through an online portal called Cowin run by the Government of India. Walk-in vaccination slots are difficult to find and citizens mainly rely on the CoWin platform to book slots for vaccination.
The citizens in the island have also been protesting against certain policies implemented by the administration. The internet is the only means available to them to get their voices heard. Denying access to the Internet will be a violation of their right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
Through this letter, SFLC.in urges to the government in the Union Territory to not impose an internet shutdown or do network throttling and to ensure that citizens have access to full speed stable internet.
We have been tracking internet shutdowns in India since the year 2012 and the data is available at internetshutdowns.in. We have collected data about the internet shutdowns and its impact on the people across India in the form of Voices.
Read the letter below:
Via Electronic mail communication
May 31, 2021
To
Shri Praful Patel
The Administrator
Union Territory of Lakshadweep
lk-admin@nic.in
Sir/Madam,
Subject – Network Throttling in Lakshadweep islands
This is to bring to your attention that there have been news reports related to Network Throttling in Lakshadweep islands. The link for the newspaper reports can be accessed here and here.
The Union Territory of Lakshadweep currently has almost 2,000 active COVID-19 cases. During the deadly second wave of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Internet has become even more crucial with citizens looking for resources online. Students have been taking online classes, businesses have been running online, professionals are working from home and telemedicine is enabling citizens to access medical help. Citizens in the entire country have been looking for life saving resources such as essential drugs, oxygen cylinders, hospital beds and ambulance services online. In absence of stable internet, vaccination appointments cannot be booked as Vaccination appointments for the age group of 18-44 years are available through an online portal called Cowin run by the Government of India. Walk-in vaccination slots are difficult to find and citizens mainly rely on the CoWin platform to book slots for vaccination.
The citizens in the island have also been protesting against certain policies implemented by the administration. The internet is the only means available to them to get their voices heard. Denying access to the Internet will be a violation of their right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
Through this letter, we urge you to not impose an internet shutdown or do network throttling in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and to ensure that citizens have access to full speed stable internet.
We have been tracking internet shutdowns in India since the year 2012 and the data is available at internetshutdowns.in. We have collected data about the internet shutdowns and its impact on the people across India in the form of Voices.
Regards,
Sincerely,
Prasanth Sugathan
Legal Director
SFLC.IN
prasanth@sflc.in
Copy to
1. Shri S Asker Ali
Collector cum District Magistrate,
Union Territory of Lakshadweep
lk-coll@nic.in
About SFLC.IN
SFLC.IN is the first Indian legal services organization that works exclusively on technology, law, and policy. As a not-for-profit organization engaged in the empowerment of India in citizens about their digital freedom and rights, it operates as a collective bringing together different stakeholders to a common platform to further the cause of digital rights. SFLC.in promotes innovation and open access to knowledge by helping policy makers make informed and just decisions regarding the use and adoption of technology. As of 2020 SFLC.in is the only Indian organization to be inducted as a member of the IFEX, a global network to defend the right to freedom of expression.
