iMAP India 2023 Internet Censorship Report

Key Findings

After strict rules governing their use came into effect, there has been a sharp increase in the blocking of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which are popular tools to circumvent censorship.

A number of innocuous LGBTQIA+ websites were found to be blocked by privately owned network firewalls in the country.

An analysis of news websites reported as blocked by OONI data shows little change from previous years. This indicates a need for expansion of the OONI test list and new research methodologies to detect the content that is being blocked on social media platforms.

OONI data confirmed government-ordered blocks of China-based and secure messaging applications.

Versions of the full report can be downloaded at the links below.