Finally, by discussing case law, we hope to fill in the gaps in transnational legal and jurisprudential aspects on internet shutdowns globally. Methodology and While a lot of attention has been placed on the technological, sociological and international human rights aspects of internet shutdowns, their situatedness in domestic legal frameworks is relatively understudied. The report does not discuss the social, economic or political impacts of internet shutdowns but limits itself to looking at litigation challenging the internet shutdown. This report should be read with the accompanying workbook that delineates case and judgement details of legal challenges to internet shutdowns across the world.” This research initially involved desk research to procure judgement copies and study various aspects of available documentation relating to litigation on internet shutdowns to prepare the workbook, identify trends, and craft strategies for litigation concerning internet shutdowns globally. It is pertinent to note that the litigation being analysed pertains to instances of extreme network disruptions implemented by or upon the direction of state authorities. These are often referred to as This workbook will be updated in line with subsequent developments and as we receive more information. An internet shutdown is defined as “ an intentional disruption of internet-based communications, rendering them inaccessible or effectively unavailable, for a specific population, location, or mode of access, often to exert control over the flow of information.” Internet shutdowns have grave societal impacts, particularly on vulnerable populations who need access to internet based services and on civil society organisations using the internet to work. It also has grave economic costs. The Global Network Initiative attempted to estimate this cost and found that “the per day impact of a temporary shutdown of the Internet and all of its services would be on average $23.6 million per 10 million population.” Governments use various methods to block access to internet or restrict access to specific websites.’° One method is URL- based blocking which prevents access to a list of pre-decided websites. A second method is called throttling which imposes severe limits on traffic to specific sites thereby giving the user an impression of slow service, thereby turning them away from the website. The final method, is asking telecom companies to shut down the internet entirely, thus preventing data access altogether. research limitations internet shutdowns, network shutdowns, internet blackouts, and others.. An assessment of litigation concerning similarly egregious infractions on human and fundamental rights through tools such as censorship of content online, targeted website blocking/banning etc. is beyond the scope of this research. The authors tried to source English language copies of the petitions filed and judgements/orders made for each instance of litigation on internet shutdowns anywhere in the world, but were not entirely successful. For some of the cases for which the authors were unable to source the primary documentation, secondary literature where the same was available was used and analysed. The researchers also included one case, that in the Karnataka High Court in India, where a petition challenging the internet shutdown in Kashmir was filed, but no judgement has been rendered yet. Observations Case background Political climate It is well-documented that governments around the world resort to shutting down the internet to prevent significant political uprisings.” Litigation challenging internet shutdowns have therefore taken place in adverse political climates. 13 Rathi, A. & Basu, A. et.al. (2020). Dialling in the Law (DITL) Workbook. A workbook delineating case and judgement details of legal challenges to internet shutdowns across the world. https: //docs.google.com /spreadsheets/d/14s7JmGpAoVSTgItLOSNpTpskuUIFFx9MgwZMMn20n Uc/edit?usp=sharing 14 Internet Society. (2019). Policy Brief: Internet Shutdowns. Internet Society. https: www.internetsociety.or olicybriefs /internetshutdowns# edn3 / 15 Delotie LLP. (2016). The economic impact of disruptions to Internet connectivity: A report for Facebook. Delloitte, LLP. . tent 1 201 16 Giles, C. (2019, 21 March). Africa Internet: How do governments shut it down? h m/news /world-afri 17 Berhan Taye, B. (2019) The State of Internet Shutdowns Around the World; The 2018 #KeepItOn report. Access Now. https: 7www.accessnow.or cms /assets /uploads /2019/07/KeepltOn-2018-Report.pdf