Internet Shutdowns
Who Shuts Down the Internet the Most?
Based on 870 shutdowns we've tracked since 2018
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412 -
140 -
68 -
37 -
17 -
17 -
16 -
14 -
11 -
10
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Europe
- Oceania
Ongoing
11
ongoing shutdowns around the world
134
Internet shutdowns around the world since July 2024
17
countries have experienced a total or partial Internet shutdown since July 2024
Since July 2024, the world’s population has lost a total of
31,505 hours
of access to the Internet due to intentional disruptions.
Over the past 12 months, we estimate that
US $463,042,703
has been lost in combined GDP across all countries that have experienced Internet shutdowns
Shutdowns
February 2024
870 shutdowns
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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
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Past
National shutdown
mobile Internet
As the country held its provincial, national, and presidential elections today, Pakistan authorities ordered mobile Internet and phone services to be suspended nationwide to “maintain law and order”. The shutdown began around 02:00 UTC and connectivity was restored after the election starting around 15:00 UTC. Read our Pakistan Election 2024 report on the Pulse Blog for more details.
Pakistan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 13 hours
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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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Past
National shutdown
On Saturday, 3 February 2024, the government of Senegal suddenly postponed the upcoming presidential elections that were planned for 25 February. Amidst widespread protests after this announcement, the Senegalese Ministry of Communication, Telecommunication, and Digital Economy ordered a shutdown of mobile data access, citing the spread of "hateful and subversive messages."
Senegal
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 days, 2 hours
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Past
National shutdown
Internet services have been disrupted again in Sudan amidst an increase in fighting intensity and violence. The measurements below reflect a drop in connections and traffic in the country, with the two major Internet Service Providers, Sudatel and MTN, going completely dark. The two networks have 53% and 21% of the Internet market share, respectively.
Sudan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 100 days, 9 hours
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