Internet Shutdowns

• Past

  National shutdown

  Syria

  • Start 16 August 2023 02:00 UTC
  • End 16 August 2023 05:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 3 hours
• Past

  National shutdown

  Syria

  • Start 15 August 2023 02:00 UTC
  • End 15 August 2023 05:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 3 hours
• Past

  National shutdown

  Syria

  • Start 14 August 2023 02:00 UTC
  • End 14 August 2023 05:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 3 hours
• Past

  National shutdown

  Syria

  • Start 13 August 2023 02:00 UTC
  • End 13 August 2023 05:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 3 hours
• Past

  National shutdown

  Syria

  • Start 10 August 2023 02:00 UTC
  • End 10 August 2023 05:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 3 hours

June 2023

• Past

  National shutdown

  Cellular and Fixed Broadband

  The second Internet shutdown by the Syrian government during national exams happened between 5:00 and 8:30 local time on 26 June 2023 with more expected at the same time over the coming days. As reported by SMEX, this is not the first time the Syrian government has resorted to Internet shutdowns during national school exams. In May 2018 and August 2020, the authorities implemented the same measure during the secondary school certificate exams period. Similarly, in August 2022, the telecommunications company published a comparable schedule detailing the dates and areas affected by the service interruption. It stated that this procedure is in accordance with “the Ministry of Education’s request to ensure the examination process runs smoothly and to counter cyber intrusions and attacks on the secondary certificate exams.” As we have repeatedly written about here on Pulse, Internet shutdowns cause great harm to a country’s economy and society and are in our opinion NOT the appropriate mechanism to cope with potential exam cheating.

  Syria

  • Start 26 June 2023 02:00 UTC
  • End 26 June 2023 05:30 UTC
  • Total Duration 3 hours
• Past

  National shutdown

  Cellular and Fixed Broadband

  Syria has joined Iraq and Algeria in conducting nationwide Internet shutdowns to curb cheating prior to national curriculum exams. The first of the shutdowns happened between 5:00 and 8:30 local time on 25 June 2023 with more expected at the same time over the coming days. As reported by SMEX, this is not the first time the Syrian government has resorted to Internet shutdowns during national school exams. In May 2018 and August 2020, the authorities implemented the same measure during the secondary school certificate exams period. Similarly, in August 2022, the telecommunications company published a comparable schedule detailing the dates and areas affected by the service interruption. It stated that this procedure is in accordance with “the Ministry of Education’s request to ensure the examination process runs smoothly and to counter cyber intrusions and attacks on the secondary certificate exams.” As we have repeatedly written about here on Pulse, Internet shutdowns cause great harm to a country’s economy and society and are in our opinion NOT the appropriate mechanism to cope with potential exam cheating.

  Syria

  • Start 25 June 2023 02:00 UTC
  • End 25 June 2023 05:30 UTC
  • Total Duration 3 hours

August 2022

• Past

  National shutdown

  As Syrians continue national exams, the government ordered an Internet shutdown on 9th August 2022. Internet shutdowns during protests, exams or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens 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 in other countries.

  Syria

  • Start 9 August 2022 00:00 UTC
  • End 9 August 2022 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 0 minutes
• Past

  National shutdown

  As Syrians continue national exams, the government ordered an Internet shutdown on 7th August 2022. Internet shutdowns during protests, exams or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens 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 in other countries.

  Syria

  • Start 7 August 2022 00:00 UTC
  • End 7 August 2022 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 0 minutes
• Past

  National shutdown

  As Syrians continue national exams, the government ordered an Internet shutdown on 4th August 2022. Internet shutdowns during protests, exams or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens 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 in other countries.

  Syria

  • Start 4 August 2022 00:00 UTC
  • End 4 August 2022 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 0 minutes