Internet Blocked in India’s Azamgarh District for 72 Hours

The Times of India reported that Internet is blocked in Azamgarh, a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The block comes as a result of riots that started Sunday. As explained in India Today, the block was enacted to “restrict rumour mongering and to keep check on Internet based communication.”

The Internet block will last 72 hours, and comes as a result of “communal tension” and riots that occurred during a class of communities over the weekend. Text and voice calls are still available.

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Internet Censorship in India

This is the first time Internet services have been blocked in the Indian state of Azamgarh. However, the Internet has been blocked previously during riots and conflict to stop the spread of rumors, misleading information, and further violence: “Since 2013, internet services have been banned in Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Harayana, Rajasthan, Manipur and Nagaland whenever law and order situation went out of control.”

Earlier this year India also proposed a restrictive new encryption law, which was quickly retracted due to controversy. India is ranked as having an Internet experience that is “partly free” by Freedom on the Net, and government blocking of content/websites is allowed by the government by law.

VyprVPN recently added a server location in Mumbai, India, providing a local connection point for the region.