Internet Shutdowns
Who Shuts Down the Internet the Most?
Based on 946 shutdowns we've tracked since 2018
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438 -
166 -
73 -
47 -
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 June 2025
14
countries have experienced a total or partial Internet shutdown since June 2025
29,961 hours
of Internet access have been lost by the the world’s population since June 2025, due to intentional disruptions.
Shutdowns
February 2024
946 shutdowns
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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
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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
January 2024
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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
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