Restrictions to the use of the internet are increasing worldwide. There has been news of the government’s mandate to restrict internet usage and access. Political and national security concerns primarily drive these mandates. Internet shutdowns are the “new normal” in many countries. When the internet is shut down, it has some implications. Parts of these implications are technical, human rights, and economic impacts. The users’ trust and reliance on the internet are entirely overlooked, which then sets off a range of consequences for the local economy and the country in the long run.
Internet shutdown means there’s an intentional break or disruption of Internet-based communications. This makes them unavailable or inaccessible for a particular population or location to gain or display control over the flow of information. There can be an internet shutdown at a national level or a local level. At a national level, users across the country will be unable to access the Internet. In contrast, at a local level, fixed Internet access in the localized area is cut off.
Internet shutdowns affect economies in multiple ways. It often upsets productivity and generates monetary losses in time-sensitive transactions. Some businesses depend heavily on electronic transactions. These businesses are exposed to serious consequences. An example is e-payments. They are becoming rapidly common in many developing countries.
Small scale businesses are often private businesses, partnerships, or sole proprietorships. They have fewer employees than regular-sized businesses. They are defined as “small” in the ability to apply for government support and qualify for preferential tax policy depending on the country and industry. Small scale businesses have come a long way in just a few years. The internet provides many tools for small-scale businesses. Judging from this, we can safely say the internet is a practical tool for most businesses. Consumers purchase based on what they see and hear through their search on the internet. These reviews are referred to as word-of-mouth marketing. The millennial generation adapts to technology quickly. This implies that the internet is a life source for this generation. The workforce is ever-growing with millennials. This shows that small businesses need to adjust the manner they use the internet. Businesses are changing to keep up with the marketing strategies of their competitors. The use of the internet to market often leads quick spread of information. This is the generation’s dream come true. When there is an internet shutdown, small-scale businesses will lose the edge and advantage that the internet gives them to operate and compete with large-scale businesses.
Internet shutdown is undoubtedly more than an inconvenience. In some cases, it’s a matter of life and death. But it’s certainly a matter of means of livelihoods lost, restricted access to information, and freedom of expression being curtailed. More people live their lives online and rely on the internet to carry out their business engagements. The risk of a government shutting down the internet carries excruciating increasing costs.
