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
20,594 hours
of access to the Internet due to intentional disruptions.
Over the past 12 months, we estimate that
US $74,214,209
has been lost in combined GDP across all countries that have experienced Internet shutdowns
Shutdowns
April 2023
908 shutdowns
March 2023
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Past
Regional shutdown
Sistan and Baluchestan
Internet connectivity was suspended in the Sistan and Baluchestan regions of Iran on Friday, 31 March. This follows similar shutdowns that have happened each Friday since xxx and reportedly coincide with Friday prayers and protests held at the same time. 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 other countries.
Iran
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 hours
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Past
Regional shutdown
Howrah District
Internet services were suspended in West Bengal region on 31 March 2023It is believed to be imposed under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, which allows the government to impose curfews and other restrictions in order to maintain public order.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 62 days
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Past
Regional shutdown
Internet services
Taran district
Internet services were suspended in the districts of Punjab on 23 March 2023It is believed to be imposed under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, which allows the government to impose curfews and other restrictions in order to maintain public order.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 0 minutes
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Past
Regional shutdown
Punjab
The government of the Punjab region of India suspended mobile Internet and SMS services beginning on March 18 while police pursue a controversial Sikh separatist, leaving over 27 million Indians without access to mobile Internet. The government initially suspended Internet services until Sunday at noon, but subsequently extended the shutdown to first Monday and then Tuesday.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 days
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Past
Regional shutdown
Mobile Internet Services
Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Local authorities ordered Internet Service Providers to suspend mobile data services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on 18 March as part of actions to quell civil unrest during a planned protest in the region. 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 other countries.
Pakistan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 1 hour
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Past
Regional shutdown
Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, Odessa, Dnipropetrovs'k, Guerrero, Kirovohrad
Internet connectivity was reduced in several Ukraine districts on 9 March. The drop in connectivity coincided with a reported "unprecedented array of missile" attack by Russian forces, targeting critical infrastructure and causing wide-scale power outages. Internet shutdowns caused by foreign government attacks 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 other countries.
Ukraine
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 days, 6 hours
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Past
National shutdown
Mobile Internet
Mobile Internet services were suspended in Mauritania on 6 March. The Minister of Equipment and Transport, El Nani Ould Ashrouga, was quoted on 9 March following a cabinet meeting that mobile Internet was suspended as part of measures to recapture four prisoners who had escaped central prison in Nouakchott, capital of Mauritania on 6 March. “Security trumps everything, and the Internet was cut on mobile networks only for that very reason,” said El Nani Ould Ashrouga. “This service will be restored whenever possible." While fixed Internet services remained working, mobile Internet is the primary mode for Mauritanian Internet users. 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 other countries.
Mauritania
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 6 days, 12 hours
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Past
Regional shutdown
Jhunjhunu-Nawalgarh
Internet services were suspended in Nawalgarh city of Jhunjhunu for 12 hours on 6 March 2023It is believed to be imposed under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, which allows the government to impose curfews and other restrictions in order to maintain public order.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 0 minutes
February 2023
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