Internet Shutdowns
Who Shuts Down the Internet the Most?
Based on 870 shutdowns we've tracked since 2018
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Europe
- Oceania
ongoing shutdowns around the world
Internet shutdowns around the world since July 2024
countries have experienced a total or partial Internet shutdown since July 2024
Since July 2024, the world’s population has lost a total of
of access to the Internet due to intentional disruptions.
Over the past 12 months, we estimate that
has been lost in combined GDP across all countries that have experienced Internet shutdowns
Shutdowns
January 2024
870 shutdowns
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Past
National shutdown
Reports and measurements indicate that Internet connectivity in the island nation of Comoros was severely disrupted during a period of unrest and protests following the re-election of President Azali Assoumani. Media reports are stating the government is behind the disruption but we have not yet been able to independently confirm this. Measurements from IODA indicated that BGP routes were restored around 11:00 UTC on 18 January 2024. However, Cloudflare Radar continued to show access disruption at Comores Telecom (AS36939) until around 15:00 UTC on 19 January 2024. Internet shutdowns during protests 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. We encourage all governments to #KeepItOn.Comoros
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 1 day, 12 hours
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Past
Regional shutdown
Rajasthan
The Regional Commissioner Bhawar Lal Meena ordered Internet services to be suspended in several districts of Rajasthan, India, on 7 January from 10:00 to 15:00 local time to prevent malpractices surrounding the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) examination. According to one report, 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G Internet services, along with SMS, MMS, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media services, were suspended. As we have repeatedly written about 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.India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 5 hours
December 2023
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Past
Regional shutdown
Poonch and Rajouri
Authorities ordered mobile Internet services to be suspended in Poonch and neighboring Rajouri district in the Jammu and Kashmir region from 23 to 30 December 2023 as a precautionary measure to check rumor-mongering and prevent any law and order problem following a conflict in the region. 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 7 days
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Past
Service blocking
Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube
Reports from Pakistan indicate a service-blocking event happened on 17 December from 17:30 local time to the early hours of 18 December. According to one report, the shutdown happened before an online rally by supporters of former president, Imran Khan, that happened from 21:00 local time. So far government authorities have not yet provided a statement. Measurements by the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) showed issues connecting to specific social media and video-sharing sites. Internet shutdowns during protests 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.Pakistan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 10 hours
November 2023
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Past
Service blocking
Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, TikTok, Signal, WhatsApp, X, YouTube
National
Guinea experienced a second service blocking event in 2023, following the fourteen day event in May. As of Friday, 24 November 2023, social media sites and messaging services were reportedly inaccessible in-country without the use of a VPN and several independent radio stations are being jammed. According to one report, government authorities have not yet provided a statement. Measurements by the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI) showed issues connecting to specific social media sites and messaging services and indicated that this blocking seems to be happening by interference with Transport Layer Security (TLS) connections and DNS-based tampering. Beginning on 23 February 2024, OONI measurements began to show a restoration of services and an end to the blocking. Internet shutdowns during protests 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.Guinea
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 91 days
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Past
Regional shutdown
mobile Internet
Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir
Local law officials have ordered mobile Internet to be suspended in parts of Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir for security reasons. The original order was for 48 hours but it was extended twice and finished on 11 November 2023. Internet shutdowns during protests 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.India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 days
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Past
Regional shutdown
Kurdistan Province
An Internet shutdown occurred in the Kurdistan Province of Iran from around 12:00 to 14:30 local time. Reports indicate this coincided with the Iranian President's visit to the province. It's been over a year since the death of a young woman in police custody sparked protests across the country. Iranians in Kurdish cities have since faced periodic Internet disruptions, service blocking, and total shutdowns to 'quell' such protests or chances of protest. As we repeatedly write about on Pulse, Internet shutdowns harm a country’s economy and society.Iran
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 hours
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Past
Regional shutdown
Mobile, Broadband
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra
There are reports of an Internet shutdown being ordered for 48 hours in rural parts of Chhatrapati, Sambhajin following incidents of arson, rioting, and protest.India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 1 day
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Past
Regional shutdown
Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh
On 1 September, officials ordered for Internet services to be suspended in Saharanpur, a city and a municipal corporation in Uttar Pradesh, following public tensions.India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 1 day
October 2023
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