Internet Shutdowns
Who Shuts Down the Internet the Most?
Based on 908 shutdowns we've tracked since 2018
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421 -
160 -
73 -
37 -
18 -
17 -
16 -
14 -
11 -
10
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Europe
- Oceania
Ongoing
10
ongoing shutdowns around the world
95
Internet shutdowns around the world since December 2024
14
countries have experienced a total or partial Internet shutdown since December 2024
Since December 2024, the world’s population has lost a total of
20,550 hours
of access to the Internet due to intentional disruptions.
Over the past 12 months, we estimate that
US $74,192,619
has been lost in combined GDP across all countries that have experienced Internet shutdowns
Shutdowns
May 2024
908 shutdowns
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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
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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 93 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
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Past
Regional shutdown
mobile services
Punjab and Balochistan provinces
Cellular services were suspended in parts of the Punjab and Balochistan provinces on 21-22 April 2024 because of by-elections in 21 constituencies held on Sunday, 21 April. According to the the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), which regulates the Internet, the decision was taken per the direction of the interior ministry. Reports suggest the PTA announcement came hours after the Punjab government requested the interior ministry to suspend mobile phone services during by-elections in Talagang, Chakwal, Kallar Kahar, Gujrat, Ali Pur Chatha, Zafarwal, Bhakkar, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Lahore, Sadiqabad, Kot Chutta, and Dera Ghazi Khan. 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.
Pakistan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 1 day
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Past
Regional shutdown
Mobile Internet Services
Leh District, Ladakh
Local mobile Internet services were ordered to be suspended in the district of Leh on 5 April as part of the Ladakh administration imposed Section 144, which sought to ban public rallies ahead of the proposed ‘Pashmina March’. Organizers claim that 10,000 participants will join the event. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact 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 in other countries.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 1 day
March 2024
February 2024
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Past
National shutdown
We are monitoring what appears to be a shutdown of Internet connectivity in Chad after civil unrest. This page will be updated frequently while we assess the situation. Media reports indicate there were attacks on the offices of the Chad intelligence service in the capital city of N'Djamena that caused several deaths. Reports indicate that the government is accusing the opposition party "Socialist Party Without Borders (PSF)". Other reports indicate the PSF is accusing the government of involvement. There appears to be a significant amount of confusion about exactly what is happening in N'Djamena. The lack of Internet connectivity into the area has limited communication.
Chad
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 days, 7 hours
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Past
National shutdown
Mobile Internet
On Tuesday, 13 February 2024, the Senegalese Ministry of Communication, Telecommunication, and Digital Economy ordered mobile data access to be suspended, citing the spread of "hateful and subversive messages on social media." This follows a similar order issued on 4 February that resulted in a similar shutdown, details here.
Senegal
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 9 hours
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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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