Internet Shutdowns
Who Shuts Down the Internet the Most?
Based on 951 shutdowns we've tracked since 2018
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438 -
171 -
73 -
47 -
18 -
17 -
17 -
14 -
11 -
10
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Europe
- Oceania
Ongoing
13
ongoing shutdowns around the world
97
Internet shutdowns around the world since June 2025
13
countries have experienced a total or partial Internet shutdown since June 2025
31,179 hours
of Internet access have been lost by the the world’s population since June 2025, due to intentional disruptions.
Shutdowns
July 2024
951 shutdowns
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Past
Regional shutdown
Facebook, Instagram
Punjab
Data and reports show that mobile Internet has been shut down in parts of Pakistan's Punjab region during the religious festival of Muharram. Media reports state that mobile services include not only mobile Internet but network calls and SMS texts with a focus in specific areas along procession routes and venues hosting religious gatherings (majalis). These events follow the Punjab government's request to suspended mobile Internet services and popular social media services from 13 to 17 July. Reports suggest that mobile Internet services were already partially suspended on Sunday 14 July in certain areas of Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Jhang, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar.
Pakistan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 1 day
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Past
Regional shutdown
Kurdistan
Iraqi Kurdistan regional authorities ordered Internet services to be suspended again on the morning of 14 July 2024, between 6:00 and 8:00 local time (+3 UTC). The shutdown comes on exam days 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
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 hours
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Past
Regional shutdown
Balochistan
Local authorities in Pakistan's Balochistan province ordered that mobile Internet and cellphone services in parts of the province be suspended from 14 to 17 July during the religious festival of Muharram. A spokesperson for the Balochistan Home Ministry said that the suspension will affect Quetta, Kachhi, Jhal Magsi, Jaffarabad, and Usta Muhammad. Similar directives have been issued in Pakistan's Punjab province, where mobile Internet services and popular social media services have been partially suspended.
Pakistan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 days
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Past
Regional shutdown
Punjab
The Punjab provincial government has ordered mobile Internet and phone services to be suspended on 13 July from 15:00 to 23:00 local time in the areas of Lahore Airport, Walled City, Shadra, Barki/Hadyara, and Nawab Town. The order was made to control law and order in the province on the arrival of ex-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Pakistan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
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Past
Regional shutdown
Mobile Internet
Dhalai, Tripura
There are reports that mobile Internet services have been suspended for 24 hours in Dhalai, Tripura. According to one report, Tripura home secretary PK Chakraborty released a notification under the provision of Section 52 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, to "prohibit SMS messages of all mobile service providers, mobile internet or data service of all mobile service providers from midnight of 12/07/2024 to till the next day of 13/07/2024 of 12.00 PM (midnight) throughout the Dhalai District." The notification was given to quell community tension following the death of a young boy.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 1 day
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Past
Regional shutdown
Kurdistan
Iraqi Kurdistan regional authorities ordered Internet services to be suspended again on the morning of 10 July 2024, between 6:00 and 8:00 local time (+3 UTC). The shutdown comes on exam days 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
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 hours
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Past
Regional shutdown
Kurdistan
Iraqi Kurdistan regional authorities ordered Internet services to be suspended again on the morning of 7 July 2024, between 6:00 and 8:00 local time (+3 UTC). The shutdown comes on exam days 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
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 hours
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Past
National shutdown
Iraq authorities ordered Internet services to be suspended again on the morning of 2 July 2024, between 6:00 and 8:00 local time (+3 UTC). The shutdown follows an announcement by Iraq's Ministry of Communication on 7 June 2024 stating that they will enact the Ministry of Education's request to order Internet shutdowns on exam days 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 and 16 this year, most of which were related to exams.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 hours
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Past
National shutdown
Mobile Data
After President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani won re-election for a second term, protests erupted across Mauritania. While we have not yet seen an official statement requiring networks to shutdown, data shows that mobile Internet networks were disrupted beginning in the early hours of 2 July 2024. Media reports and commentary on social media all indicate various degrees of a loss of connectivity. This would unfortunately not be the first time the current government has shut down the Internet amidst protests. Back in June 2023, mobile Internet was shut down for most of a week during protests against the government. Internet services returned to normal on 24 July.
Mauritania
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 22 days
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Past
National shutdown
Iraq authorities ordered Internet services to be suspended again on the morning of 1 July 2024, between 6:00 and 8:00 local time (+3 UTC). The shutdown follows an announcement by Iraq's Ministry of Communication on 7 June 2024 stating that they will enact the Ministry of Education's request to order Internet shutdowns on exam days 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 and 16 this year, most of which were related to exams.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 hours