Internet Shutdowns

• Past

  Service blocking

  Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Telegram

  The Senegalese government blocked access to social media and messaging apps such as Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and some Telegram servers starting on the evening of Thursday, March 4, and continuing until March 5th, 2021. The blocking of social media and messaging was implemented after one of the biggest series of protests in Senegal's modern history. The protests were sparked by the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on charges of rape and public disruption.  

  Senegal

  • Start 4 March 2021 00:00 UTC
  • End 5 March 2021 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 1 day
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Anantnag and Kulgam districts

  India

  • Start 3 March 2021 00:00 UTC
  • End 3 March 2021 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 0 minutes

February 2021

• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Broadband, Mobile

  Cities of Almaty and Nur-Sultan

  The Internet was shut down in at least the Kazakhstan cities of Almaty and Nur-Sultan on 28 February 2021 during anti-government protests calling for the release of political prisoners.

  Kazakhstan

  • Start 28 February 2021 00:00 UTC
  • End 28 February 2021 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 0 minutes
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Broadband, Mobile

  N'djamena

  Unverified reports suggest that Internet services have been disrupted in Chad's capital city, N'djamena, since around 8:00 local time on 27 February 2021.

  Chad

  • Start 27 February 2021 00:00 UTC
  • End 3 March 2021 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 4 days
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Mobile

  District Anantnag

  Authorities ordered local telecommunication providers to suspend mobile data services in the district of Anantnag on 24 February 2021 (between 10:30 to 16:10 local time) to maintain law and order following terrorist activities in the region. This was the second time the Internet has been suspended in the region in a month. 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 24 February 2021 10:30 UTC
  • End 24 February 2021 16:10 UTC
  • Total Duration 5 hours
• Past

  National shutdown

  From February 24 to March 5, 2021, mobile internet was disrupted in Niger after the presidential election was followed by massive protests. As part of the government's attempts to clamp down on protests, Internet access was suspended for 10 days. Internet shutdowns during protests, elections, exams 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.

  Niger

  • Start 24 February 2021 01:00 UTC
  • End 5 March 2021 23:59 UTC
  • Total Duration 9 days, 22 hours
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Broadband, Mobile

  Sistan and Baluchistan

  Iran

  • Start 24 February 2021 00:00 UTC
  • End 28 February 2021 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 4 days
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Mobile

  District of Shopian, in Jammu and Kashmir

  Authorities ordered local telecommunication providers to suspend mobile data services in the district of Shopian from 18 February 2022 (23:40 local time) to 19 February 2021 (21:15 local time) to maintain law and order following terrorist activities in the region. 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 18 February 2021 23:40 UTC
  • End 19 February 2021 21:15 UTC
  • Total Duration 21 hours
• Past

  National shutdown

  Myanmar

  • Start 14 February 2021 17:30 UTC
  • End 27 April 2021 03:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 71 days, 9 hours
• Past

  National shutdown

  On 6 March 2021, Myanmar's military rulers shut down the country's Internet access as thousands of people poured into the streets and joined protests against the recent military coup. Internet access was restored on 7 March 2021, although some services remained blocked.

  Myanmar

  • Start 6 February 2021 02:00 UTC
  • End 7 February 2021 08:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 1 day, 6 hours