Access to the internet is now essential for exercising basic rights like free speech, information, and participation in democracy. Courts and international bodies, including the UN and the European Court of Human Rights, have recognized this. India’s Supreme Court in Amar Jain v. Union of India (2025) affirmed digital access as part of the right to life. Blanket shutdowns and vague censorship laws threaten freedoms and must meet legal tests of necessity and legitimacy. A rights-based digital framework—ensuring net neutrality, fair access, and transparent governance—is vital to protect democracy in the digital age.
