Internet Shutdowns
Who Shuts Down the Internet the Most?
Based on 908 shutdowns we've tracked since 2018
-
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
20,605 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
February 2023
908 shutdowns
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Kharkiv
Internet connectivity was reduced in Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, on 10 and 11 February. The drop in connectivity coincided with reported missile and drone attacks by Russian forces, targeting energy infrastructure in Kharkiv, 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 1 day, 15 hours
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
Service blocking
Facebook, Telegram, Tik Tok, YouTube
On 9 February 2023 access to social media platforms (TikTok, Facebook, Telegram, YouTube) was reportedly blocked in Ethiopia amid church split tensions and calls for anti-government protests. While those able to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to circumvent the block can still access these sites, citizens without the means to do so are unable to access these sites. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government or other trusted 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.Internet shutdowns are a tactic commonly used in Ethiopia. The government has resorted to total national blackouts, rendering the vast majority of the countries 120 million citizens offline for days at a time, as well as localized shutdowns and sweeping social media bans.
Ethiopia
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 157 days
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
Service blocking
WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Telegram
Authorities in Iraq blocked access to several social media and messaging apps during the school exam period in a misguided attempt to curb cheating. The partial shutdown lasted for several days, with access to WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Telegram blocked from 4am - noon. Iraq is just one of several countries that regularly shuts down or restricts Internet access during national school exams. Often used as a method to stop questions from being leaked prior to exams as well as to prevent cheating during exams, these Internet shutdowns block access to for everyone, not just the students taking the exams. Restricting access affects the livelihoods of millions of people by cutting off their access to online businesses, services, and communication methods. Iraq's Ministry of Communications official Facebook page posted the following announcement:
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 8 hours
-
Past
National shutdown
Social Media and Instant Messaging Service
Saran District
Internet services were suspended in the Jammu and Kashmir region on 02 February 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 8 days
January 2023
- Page 37 of 91.