Internet Shutdowns
Who Shuts Down the Internet the Most?
Based on 920 shutdowns we've tracked since 2018
-
430 -
160 -
73 -
37 -
18 -
17 -
17 -
14 -
11 -
10
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Europe
- Oceania
Ongoing
13
ongoing shutdowns around the world
102
Internet shutdowns around the world since February 2025
13
countries have experienced a total or partial Internet shutdown since February 2025
Since February 2025, the world’s population has lost a total of
23,574 hours
of access to the Internet due to intentional disruptions.
Over the past 12 months, we estimate that
US $114,424,303
has been lost in combined GDP across all countries that have experienced Internet shutdowns
Shutdowns
Shutdowns for Iraq
June 2023
160 shutdowns
February 2023
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
- Page 15 of 16.