Social Media Marketing

The Indian government now has the super power to switch off internet. They have the power to switch off during times of national emergency to

• Protect Sovereignty and Integrity
• Defense
• Security of its States
• For Public Order

This has been incorporated as a provision in the IT Act of 2008. India presently has 70 million internet users and it’s growing at the rate of 25% per year (read Mobile only internet in India).

It’s good to have a provision like this in the IT Act, as now with millions of internet users and user generated news from social media websites like twitter spreading rumors ( Abdul Kalam Death Rumour in Twitter) creating panic, confusion and tension, during times of emergency a switch off is definitely necessary. The only thing is the respective Political Parties in Power should not misuse this provision to stop the free flow of information against corrupt governments and other protests which are democratic in nature. I do not support a complete shutdown, ppl still should be given access to necessary internet services like newspaper websites, mail etc. There should be provision to stop sending bulk emails and SMS.

You can also see a Infographic here as to how the Egypt Government Killed the Internet during the People Uprising which ulimately led to the fall of President Hosni Mubarak

What are your thoughts on the same?

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Mobile Internet users in India is increasing everyday. Opera Software and On Device Research recently conducted a device agnostic survey to find out the pattern of mobile internet usage/reasons in India and the Online survey automatically identifies device and carrier.

Top Findings of th Survey

The respondents was asked the questions why do you use mobile internet instead of PC internet. 41% of the respondents mobile phone was the only way to access the internet. It’s not clear exactly these users are urban or rural or the profession of the respondents.  Its a clear indication that the websites now should develop mobile version of it in order to cater to a large market of Mobile Internet users.

The Primary activity the mobile internet generation in India engage in are for Social Networking, Checking emails and for searching. Phone loaded with applications for Facebook, twitter etc may be the reason for the increase in usage of the mobile internet as respondents mentioned that its easier to use than a computer. Indian internet users are also sensitive to pricing.

Demographics of Mobile Internet Users in India

Indian mobile users are young and is heavily male dominated. 77% of the respondents where less than 35 years of age.

Source: India Infoline

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