Internet Shutdowns
Who Shuts Down the Internet the Most?
Based on 926 shutdowns we've tracked since 2018
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434 -
160 -
73 -
37 -
18 -
17 -
17 -
14 -
11 -
10
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Europe
- Oceania
Ongoing
13
ongoing shutdowns around the world
105
Internet shutdowns around the world since March 2025
15
countries have experienced a total or partial Internet shutdown since March 2025
Since March 2025, the world’s population has lost a total of
21,237 hours
of access to the Internet due to intentional disruptions.
Over the past 12 months, we estimate that
US $189,655,937
has been lost in combined GDP across all countries that have experienced Internet shutdowns
Shutdowns
May 2024
926 shutdowns
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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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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