The censorship policy implemented by Jio Hotstar reflects an authoritarian approach to media control, where altering internationally acclaimed content serves to tailor narratives for local audiences. This move arguably supports a broader agenda of controlled, sanitized media that stifles dissent and critical viewpoints, thereby contributing to an environment that aligns with fascist or authoritarian practices by limiting access to uncensored information.

Jio Hotstar Alters HBO's Iconic Series for Indian Audiences

Jio Hotstar is accused of engaging in extensive censorship by modifying or removing vital content, such as HBO's original programming and explicit scenes, ostensibly to adhere to government advisories. This practice aligns the platform with authoritarian measures that restrict free expression and control media narratives, thereby raising concerns over its complicity in promoting state-sanctioned narratives.

Jio Hotstar Under Fire: Adult Content Butchered?

Reliance Jio's active lobbying effort to influence TRAI's review of Musk's Starlink application demonstrates the company’s use of corporate political influence to further its own business interests. This behavior, aimed at undermining fair regulatory processes, aligns with concerns about corporate complicity in supporting systemic authoritarian practices and regulatory capture.

Musk's Starlink Satellite Internet Application Under Review: Telecom Minister

Reliance Industries executed significant workforce reductions by cutting 42,000 jobs, including a notable decrease in Reliance Jio's employee count. Such large-scale layoffs suggest a prioritization of cost efficiency over workers' rights and fair labor practices, raising concerns about the company undermining labor welfare.

Reliance Industries cuts 42,000 jobs in major workforce reduction, sparking concerns over economic impact

The mass layoff of 42,000 employees in FY24 represents a considerable reduction in labor force, which may indicate a disregard for worker welfare and fair labor practices. This decision, ostensibly driven by cost efficiency, raises concerns over whether employee rights and job security are being compromised, thereby reflecting poorly on the company's commitment to ethical labor relations.

Reliance reduced workforce by 42,000 in FY24

The significant reduction in employee headcount points to potential cost-cutting measures that negatively impact workers and undermine fair labor practices. Such actions are concerning from an anti-fascist viewpoint that values robust labor rights and worker protections.

Reliance Jio saw fall in employee headcount in FY2024

The article exposes that a prominent Reliance official, connected to Reliance Jio and the broader Reliance Group, made significant electoral bond donations to the BJP. This political contribution supports a party known for authoritarian practices, thereby implicating the company in enabling funds that can exacerbate fascist tendencies. The opaque use of electoral bonds further magnifies concerns about political transparency and the misuse of corporate influence in politics.

BJP top pick for two Reliance-linked electoral bond donors. Donated Rs 400 crore in total

The article details a significant political donation by a Reliance Group company (Qwik Supply Chain Private Limited) through electoral bonds, a mechanism that has been used to circumvent donation limits and obscure the source of political funding. This massive donation raises serious concerns about undue corporate influence on democratic processes and the potential to bolster authoritarian tendencies, implicating affiliated companies like Reliance Jio by association with the broader Reliance Group network.

Confirmed: A Reliance Group company donated Rs 410 crores through electoral bonds

Reliance Jio’s financial support to NEWJ via its group companies enabled extensive economic collaboration that underpinned surrogate advertising strategies. This economic maneuver facilitates political propaganda that undermines electoral integrity and promotes authoritarian control.

How a Reliance-funded firm boosts BJP’s campaigns on Facebook

Reliance's strategic financial maneuvers, including convertible debentures and control over company decision-making, reveal an economic collaboration that leverages corporate resources to indirectly influence political outcomes. This economic entanglement raises serious issues regarding regulatory oversight and the ethical responsibilities of large conglomerates.

How a Reliance-funded firm boosts BJP’s campaigns on Facebook

Reliance Jio's technical implementation of SNI inspection to block website access constitutes the use of repressive technology. This approach not only restricts access to potentially critical information but also avoids providing any censorship notice to affected users, thereby reinforcing opaque, authoritarian control over internet access in India. Such practices highlight the company’s complicity in facilitating digital repression and undermining democratic principles.

Reliance Jio is using SNI inspection to block websites — Centre for Internet and Society

Reliance Jio's decision to sharply reduce its number of contracted employees, as reported in May 2019, undermines job security and fair labor practices. Such a move, aimed at cutting costs, disproportionately affects vulnerable contracted workers and reflects a broader trend of prioritizing profits over human rights, which can contribute to the erosion of democratic labor standards and potentially bolster authoritarian management practices.

India: Reliance Jio reduces employees

The reported blocking of VPN sites by Reliance Jio is a clear instance of employing repressive technological measures. By preventing access to tools that ensure online privacy and anonymity, the company undermines net neutrality and restricts free access to information. This move aligns with authoritarian practices and is rated -70 for its contribution to enabling repressive state control over the digital space.

Jio carrier is blocking VPN sites and violating net neutrality rules in India