[Confidential] Joint letter_India shutdowns_Review and reform [External]

Rajaraman, Chairman DCC & Secretary(T) Department of Telecommunications Ministry of Communications CC: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology The Chairperson & Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology Subject: Review and reform of the legal and regulatory framework governing internet shutdowns in India. [...] Unfettered access for all to an open, secure, and reliable internet is vital to the protection of fundamental rights in India, and to ensure that the livelihoods of increasing millions of people in India dependent on digital services and a connected economy are not disrupted. [...] Further, in December 2021, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT’s report15 recognised the internet as a “lifeline”, found that the current legal framework lacked clarity and safeguards, and that the process has limited consultation and oversight. [...] UOI and ensuring adherence with proportionality, make all the information that is sought by the committee available in the public domain; ● Ensure compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court, and make all shutdown orders public, including internet shutdowns ordered in previous years; ● Commit to revamping the legal and regulatory framework to protect and strengthen connectivity and people’. [...] We urge the government and the parliament to act on the recommendations in this letter, take concrete action and initiate inclusive processes to review and reform the current regime, and fundamental approach, to internet shutdowns in India.