0+ yrs
India has recorded more internet shutdowns than any other country, for several years running — tracked live at internetshutdowns.in, the shutdown tracker by SFLC.in.
A citizen's toolkit · Article 19 · Non-partisan
Open source. Open democracy.
A volunteer collective curating open-source technology for digital rights, civic participation, and accountability — lawful, peaceful, and grounded in the Constitution.
You just lit up on the mesh. The Collective is just getting started — everything happens in the open, in the repo:
Star & watch the repo Open an issue — tell us what you can doWhy this exists
Internet shutdowns don't stop at inconvenience — they cut off payments, hospitals, exam results, and the right to speak. The tools below are the same ones recommended by Reporters Without Borders, the EFF, and digital-rights groups worldwide.
India has recorded more internet shutdowns than any other country, for several years running — tracked live at internetshutdowns.in, the shutdown tracker by SFLC.in.
People cut off in Iran's January 2026 blackout alone. During shutdowns in Iran, Nepal, and Myanmar, millions turned to offline mesh apps to stay connected.
Of the code, open to inspection. Open source means anyone — including you — can read it and verify there's no backdoor. Trust is checked, not begged.
"All citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression… to assemble peaceably and without arms."— Article 19(1), Constitution of India
The toolkit
Every entry is open source and publicly available, with a link to its official home. Filter by what you need — and share the ones that matter.
Chosen tools ≠ endorsed tools. Security is a moving target — check each project's own documentation and recent audits before trusting it with anything sensitive.
Learn digital safety
Start with a threat model, not an app list. These three free guides are where journalists and human-rights defenders actually learn.
Front Line Defenders' practical guides — device security, safer communication, and account protection, step by step.
The EFF's threat-modeling and tool guides — figure out what you're protecting, from whom, and what to do about it.
An Android app with digital and physical safety lessons — including how to attend protests safely and lawfully.
India's digital-rights ecosystem
Litigation, policy, and civic literacy for Indian digital rights — grew out of the SaveTheInternet net-neutrality campaign.
Legal services for digital freedoms — and the team behind India's shutdown tracker.
India's open-data community — because accountability starts with public numbers.
The global coalition against internet shutdowns — 300+ organizations, one demand.
Get involved
Help build, translate, audit, and document the tools on this page. Every one of them is open to pull requests.
Open the repoDigital rights shouldn't require English. Bring these apps and guides into Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, and beyond.
Open an issue — name your languageTeach digital safety at your college, newsroom, or neighbourhood. We'll share a ready-made workshop kit.
Open an issue — name your city