What Could Happen If Internet Access is Locked Down?

To be able to illustrate and visualize a scenario that could arise from an online access lockdown, it would be helpful if what happened in Xinjiang province in China could be looked at. During the first week of July 2009, the Chinese government blocked Internet access in all of Xinjiang. The measure was a form of security action after an alleged Muslim ethnic minority grouped used social networking sites and instant messaging programs to plan, implement, and conduct a series of violent attacks against a Han Chinese ethnic majority group.

After about 200 people were killed and around 1,600 were injured, China said it decided to prevent further spread of violent riots through blocking Internet access in the entire province. For several weeks, there was no form of Internet connection in the area. The measure was effective as the violent attacks apparently subsided. But it took sometime before Internet access was restored because the government had to make sure several groups would not resume to using online media to perpetuate crime against other people and groups.

What was the major implication of the lockdown? In general, the action crippled and slowed down operations of most local companies, specifically those that rely on online operations. Businessmen and firms were left worried for a few weeks about when Internet access could resume. The result: many local businesses incurred major losses, some even were threatened to close shops for good.

In a non-democratic nation like China, Internet access is useful mainly for business purposes, although some people are able to use the media for entertainment albeit at certain restrictions and censorship. Because most companies are heavily reliant on the Internet for basic operations, there was a disaster when online media was cut down. Most business transactions were prevented and blocked.

Many smaller firms are basically e-businesses. Logically, they are the most affected by such government action. Big companies could somehow take cushion on several weeks of losses and impairment of operations. But many smaller e-companies could be threatened to fold businesses altogether. If the lockdown spelled disaster in China, could you imagine how worse the situation could be if it happened in the US, in Europe, or in other countries and cities where people and businesses are all heavily reliant on the Internet?

Is an internet lockdown possible in other countries? This could be a subject of debate. In general, most free and democratic nations are ruling out the possibility. But a total blockage of Internet access could still be possible if problems arise and affect infrastructure and physical lines. In other countries, an online lockdown could be caused by disasters and natural calamities.

Thus, it is important that businesses establish good and reliable contingency measures to counter possible setbacks if Internet access is disabled. It could be a difficult situation to get into, but it is always a possibility. While the online media is helpful and is really important, users should learn how to conduct operations continuously even when the Internet runs out.