India tops the entire world — by far — in the amount of net shutdowns imposed by local, national and state authorities. This past year, net service has been cut India 134 occasions, so far this calendar year, 93 shutdowns have occurred, based on SFLC.in, which is based on reports by journalists, advocacy groups and taxpayers.

The nation’s closest rival is Pakistan, which had 12 shutdowns this past year. Syria and Turkey — nations not particularly known for their spirit — every closed down the web only once in 2018.

“Whenever there’s a indication of disturbance, that’s the first tool in the toolbox,” explained Mishi Choudhary, creator of SFLC.in, a legal advocacy group in New Delhi who has monitored India’s online shutdowns because 2012. “When upkeep of order and law is the priority, you aren’t thinking about free speech.”