If websites are blocked based on government or court orders, or internet firms have legal grounds to restrict web pages, they might not violate net neutrality rules, said Gurshabad Grover, a researcher at the non-profit Centre for Internet and Society. Telegram, which has been blocked previously in Russia and Iran, did not immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment. Reddit did not respond to an emailed request for comment outside regular U.S. It did not say if it was currently blocking any websites. Hathway did not reply to phone and email requests for comment.īharti Airtel said in a statement it "supports an open internet" and does not block content unless directed by authorities. Nearly 60% of the user reports compiled by the foundation since January involved Jio networks, the IFF's data showed.Ī Jio representative did not respond to an emailed request for comment. When Reuters tried to access on Wednesday a message read: "Your requested URL has been blocked as per the directions received from Department of Telecommunications, Government of India."Īn official at the telecoms department, which last year approved rules on net neutrality - the concept that all websites and data on the Internet be treated equally - declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.Ĭomplaints by Indian internet users have covered "most forms of net neutrality violations," IFF's Gupta said. Some internet users have posted on social media screenshots of pages displaying messages saying a website was blocked to comply with government orders. Jio and Airtel are among India's top telecom providers. Since January, there have been at least 250 reports of websites blocked on networks operated by Jio, a unit of Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel and Hathway, the IFF said in a letter to the telecoms department. "A lot of these blocks are also happening in such a way that no notices are displayed." "It's not making any sense, what's happening," said Apar Gupta, executive director at the non-profit Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF).
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