Internet users across India have reported instances of their telecom provider or ISP blocking websites, torrents, VPN services and Telegram (web), over a 2-week period, according to a crowdsourced document created by the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF). IFF says that these users are spread across metros as well as smaller cities. [caption id="attachment_196450" align="aligncenter" width="550"] One of the blocked websites[/caption] Its findings: Mobile internet users reported the most blocks: Reliance Jio and Airtel were top CSPs, while ACT Fibernet, BSNL, Vodafone and Hathway were mentioned Jio has mostly blocked the proxies and VPN services. MediaNama has reached out to Jio and Airtel for a comment and will update this when we hear from them. IFF states that, “There are no clear statements or information available on the reason which may emerge from any legal order that is made available to them. They also are left wondering if this fault may be caused due to a technical error or may have commercial or regulatory interest attached to it. Further, there lacks any institutional process to gather or request such information in a standardised manner.” It adds that due to lack of a reporting mechanism, users are left in the dark when it comes to the reason behind the blocks and interference. It highlighted that it is unclear whether the DoT or the TRAI monitor such blocks. Also read: Indian Express' domain blocked by Airtel & Vodafone; now live India's porn ban Note that in October last year, the Department of Telecom, for…
