Opinion | We need greater clarity on internet freedom in India

Last year, I wrote in this column that even though as a country we are digitizing faster than almost any other in the world, given the alacrity with which our government shuts down the internet, we will fail to reach the tipping point of digital adoption necessary to accelerate growth. Since then, if anything, the rate and duration of internet shutdowns has increased.

Last Friday, the Supreme Court of India issued a judgement that, according to initial reports, was a strong denouncement of internet shutdowns in general and offered immediate relief to the situation in Kashmir. Several internet policy groups I am a part of immediately declared victory, and faith in the judiciary, at least in some measure, seemed to have been restored. However, upon closer reading, it appears the judgement is not the stinging indictment of internet shutdowns it seemed at first glance.