Internet Shutdowns
Who Shuts Down the Internet the Most?
Based on 846 shutdowns we've tracked since 2018
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409 -
120 -
62 -
33 -
17 -
17 -
15 -
14 -
12 -
11
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Europe
- Oceania
Ongoing
9
ongoing shutdowns around the world
118
Internet shutdowns around the world since June 2024
14
countries have experienced a total or partial Internet shutdown since June 2024
Since June 2024, the world’s population has lost a total of
26,434 hours
of access to the Internet due to intentional disruptions.
Over the past 12 months, we estimate that
US $330,273,195
has been lost in combined GDP across all countries that have experienced Internet shutdowns
Shutdowns
May 2024
846 shutdowns
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Past
National shutdown
At the request of the Syrian Ministry of Education, the Internet in Syria was suspended on the morning of 27 May 2024, between 6:00 and 9:00 local time (+3 UTC) ahead of the second day of high school exams. According to Syrian Telecom, these shutdowns will occur daily through 13 June. This year, the Internet shutdown schedule is accompanied by a mobile telecommunication shutdown schedule. For this day, the mobile telecommunications is not shut off for this exam. The #KeepItOn coalition, which the Internet Society is a member, recently urged Syrian and other authorities to abstain from implementing Internet shutdowns during exams, noting the lack of evidence demonstrating their impact on exam cheating, the economic cost of shutdowns on countries, and their violation of human rights. Syria ordered 11 Internet shutdowns in 2023, all related to exams.
Syria
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 hours
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Past
National shutdown
Iraq authorities ordered Internet services to be suspended again on the morning of 27 May 2024, between 6:00 and 8:00 local time (+3 UTC). The shutdown is the third this week and follows an announcement by Iraq's Ministry of Communication on 19 May 2024 stating that they will enact the Ministry of Education's request to order Internet shutdowns on exam days in May and June as part of its efforts to prevent cheating. In an open letter to the Prime Minister of Iraq, the #KeepItOn coalition, which the Internet Society is a member, recently urged authorities to abstain from implementing Internet shutdowns during exams. The letter notes the lack of evidence demonstrating their impact on exam cheating, the economic cost of shutdowns on the country, and their violation of human rights. Iraq ordered more than 40 Internet shutdowns last year, most of which were related to exams.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 hours
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Past
National shutdown
At the request of the Syrian Ministry of Education, the Internet in Syria was suspended on the morning of 26 May 2024, between 6:00 and 11:00 local time (+3 UTC) ahead of the first day of high school exams. According to Syrian Telecom, these shutdowns will occur daily through 13 June. The #KeepItOn coalition, which the Internet Society is a member, recently urged Syrian and other authorities to abstain from implementing Internet shutdowns during exams, noting the lack of evidence demonstrating their impact on exam cheating, the economic cost of shutdowns on countries, and their violation of human rights. Syria ordered 11 Internet shutdowns in 2023, all related to exams.
Syria
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 5 hours
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Past
National shutdown
Iraq authorities ordered Internet services to be suspended again on the morning of 25 May 2024, between 6:00 and 8:00 local time (+3 UTC). The shutdown is the third this week and follows an announcement by Iraq's Ministry of Communication on 19 May 2024 stating that they will enact the Ministry of Education's request to order Internet shutdowns on exam days in May and June as part of its efforts to prevent cheating. In an open letter to the Prime Minister of Iraq, the #KeepItOn coalition, which the Internet Society is a member, recently urged authorities to abstain from implementing Internet shutdowns during exams. The letter notes the lack of evidence demonstrating their impact on exam cheating, the economic cost of shutdowns on the country, and their violation of human rights. Iraq ordered more than 40 Internet shutdowns last year, most of which were related to exams.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 hours
-
Past
National shutdown
Iraq authorities ordered Internet services to be suspended again on the morning of 23 May 2024, between 6:00 and 8:00 local time (+3 UTC). The shutdown is the second this week and follows an announcement by Iraq's Ministry of Communication on 19 May 2024 stating that they will enact the Ministry of Education's request to order Internet shutdowns on exam days in May and June as part of its efforts to prevent cheating. In an open letter to the Prime Minister of Iraq, the #KeepItOn coalition, which the Internet Society is a member, recently urged authorities to abstain from implementing Internet shutdowns during exams. The letter notes the lack of evidence demonstrating their impact on exam cheating, the economic cost of shutdowns on the country, and their violation of human rights. Iraq ordered more than 40 Internet shutdowns last year, most of which were related to exams.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 hours
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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
National shutdown
Iraq authorities ordered Internet services to be suspended on 21 May 2024, between 6:00 and 8:00 local time (+3 UTC). The shutdown follows an announcement by Iraq's Ministry of Communication on 19 May 2024 stating that they will enact the Ministry of Education's request to order Internet shutdowns on exam days in May and June as part of its efforts to prevent cheating. In an open letter to the Prime Minister of Iraq, the #KeepItOn coalition, which the Internet Society is a member, recently urged authorities to abstain from implementing Internet shutdowns during exams. The letter notes the lack of evidence demonstrating their impact on exam cheating, the economic cost of shutdowns on the country, and their violation of human rights. Iraq ordered more than 40 Internet shutdowns last year, most of which were related to exams.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 hours
-
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 91 days
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Past
Regional shutdown
Mobile Internet
Azad Jammu and Kashmir
There have been reports of mobile Internet services being partially suspended in parts of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir region in northern Pakistan to stop protesters marching towards the regional capital. According to reports, protesters are marching against inflation. [Update 14 March] According to recent reports, the Chief Secretary of Azad Kashmir announced on Tuesday, 14 March, that Internet services have been restored in Azad Jammu and Kashmir following the authorities accepting protesters' demands.
Pakistan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 days
April 2024
- Page 14 of 85.