Internet Shutdowns
Who Shuts Down the Internet the Most?
Based on 908 shutdowns we've tracked since 2018
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421 -
160 -
73 -
37 -
18 -
17 -
16 -
14 -
11 -
10
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Europe
- Oceania
Ongoing
10
ongoing shutdowns around the world
94
Internet shutdowns around the world since December 2024
14
countries have experienced a total or partial Internet shutdown since December 2024
Since December 2024, the world’s population has lost a total of
21,607 hours
of access to the Internet due to intentional disruptions.
Over the past 12 months, we estimate that
US $74,538,070
has been lost in combined GDP across all countries that have experienced Internet shutdowns
Shutdowns
Shutdowns for India
May 2024
421 shutdowns
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Past
Regional shutdown
Saran
A clash between political party workers erupted near polling stations on 20 May 2024 that resulted in one death, prompted the Saran district administration to order an Internet shutdown for two days as a precautionary measure. While the order (see below) specified blocking of particular apps, reports suggest that all Internet services were affected. The orders were extended until 25 May 2024.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 days, 15 hours
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Past
Regional shutdown
Dhupguri, West Bengal
There are reports of Internet services being suspended as part of Section 144 orders by police in Dhupguri, West Bengal. The orders were given following the vandalism of temples in the region.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 93 days
April 2024
February 2024
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Past
Regional shutdown
Basirhat, West Bengal
On Tuesday, 13 February, local authorities in the West Bengal region extended ongoing orders to suspend Internet services in Sandeshkhali to the neighboring Basirhat district. According to reports, the orders were enforced under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) from 6:00 to 18:00 local time to 'maintain law and order.' These new orders follow on from Monday's extension to shutdown the Internet in neighboring Hingalganj. Internet services in Sandeshkhali have been suspended since 10 February 2024 as part of Section 144 orders to quell violence following two days of protests revolting against local leaders. The same day (13 February), a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court reportedly quashed the orders imposing restrictions under Section 144, saying such prohibitory orders should only be put in place in areas identified as “troubled zone”. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the citizens' ability to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or other countries.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration -1 days, 18 hours
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Past
Regional shutdown
Hingalganj, West Bengal
On Monday, 12 February 2024, authorities in the West Bengal region extended ongoing orders to suspend Internet services in Sandeshkhali to the neighboring Hingalganj district. According to reports, the orders were extended so that 'tension does not spread to other areas.' Internet services in Sandeshkhali have been suspended since 10 February 2024 as part of Section 144 orders to quell violence following two days of protests revolting against local leaders. On Tuesday, 13 February, a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court reportedly quashed the orders imposing restrictions under Section 144, saying such prohibitory orders should only be put in place in areas identified as “troubled zone”. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the citizens' ability to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or other countries.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 0 minutes
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Past
Regional shutdown
Mobile Internet
Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa Districts
On Saturday, 10 February, the Haryana government imposed Section 144 in anticipation of the farmers' planned 'Delhi Chalo' march on 13 February. As per an official decree, mobile Internet services and bulk SMS services will be inaccessible in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad, and Sirsa districts on 11 February from 6:00 local time until 13 February 23:59 local time. Per reports, these orders were extended until 15 February 23:59 and have been extended several more times. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the citizens' ability to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or other countries.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 17 days, 18 hours
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Past
Regional shutdown
mobile Internet
Punjab District
Local authorities ordered mobile Internet services to be suspended in several regions of Pujab district during ongoing farmers' protests. These orders have been extended several times for certain regions to 'maintain public safety and avert public emergency.' Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the citizens' ability to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or other countries.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 23 days, 23 hours
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Past
Regional shutdown
Sandeshkhali and Hingalganj
On Saturday, 10 February 2024, local authorities in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, ordered for local Internet services to be suspended as part of Section 144 orders that were imposed to quell violence following two days of protests revolting against local leaders. These orders were extended to the adjacent Hingalganj area on 13 February 'so that tension does not spread to other areas,' according to local reports. The same day (13 February), a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court reportedly quashed the orders imposing restrictions under Section 144, saying such prohibitory orders should only be put in place in areas identified as “troubled zone”. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the citizens' ability to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or other countries.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 days
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Haldwani, Uttarakhand
Local authorities in Haldwani, Uttarakhand ordered Internet services to be suspended as part of curfew actions following reported violent clashes between police and protesters after authorities demolished a mosque, alleging it was constructed illegally. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the citizens' ability to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or other countries.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 days
-
Past
Regional shutdown
mobile Internet, public WIFI
Poonch and Rajouri District
Local authorities ordered mobile Internet and public WiFi services to be suspended in Poonch and Rajouri District of Jammu Province, India, on 7 February from 00:10 to 23:30 local time to prevent misuse of these services by 'anti-national elements/miscreants, which may cause deterioration in public order.' According to reports, this action was taken following the government of India’s decision to grant Scheduled Tribe status to Paharis, Padari, Koli, and Gadda Brahmins for reservations in the Union Territory. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the citizens' ability to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or other countries.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 23 hours
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