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
94
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
21,119 hours
of access to the Internet due to intentional disruptions.
Over the past 12 months, we estimate that
US $74,408,525
has been lost in combined GDP across all countries that have experienced Internet shutdowns
Shutdowns
October 2019
908 shutdowns
September 2019
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Internet Services and Other modes of communications including phone lines disrupted
Wamena
Indonesia experienced massive protests and riots in response to several controversial laws and social tensions. Students and civil society protested against a reform of the Penal Code, which included restrictive clauses on individual rights, and against a law weakening the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), seen as a threat to anti-corruption efforts. Simultaneously, violence erupted in Papua, where demands for autonomy and ethnic tensions led to deadly clashes between protesters and security forces. These events highlighted widespread public discontent with the government and an increasing demand for social justice and respect for human rights.
Indonesia
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 days
-
Past
Service blocking
Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Skype
In scenes reminiscent of the 2011 Arab Spring revolt, Egyptians flooded Tahrir Square in Cairo and several other major cities on Friday, calling for Sisi to step down. Protesters in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and Damietta could be seen chanting “The people demand the fall of the regime,” “Get out, Sisi,” and “Rise up, fear not, Sisi must go.” Videos of the demonstrations spread rapidly on social media.
Egypt
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 1 day
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Internet Services
Tizi Ouzou, Bouira, Setif, Jijel, and parts of Algiers
The country’s main network operator, state-run Algérie Télécom, restricted Internet access in several areas, including Tizi Ouzou, Bouira, Setif, Jijel, and parts of the capital Algiers, amidst public demonstrations against the influence of army leaders in the civic space. No announcements or statements were issued by authorities about the shutdown.
Algeria
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 1 day
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Internet Services
Refugee Camps in Cox Bazar district and peninsula adjoining the Naf River
Internet restrictions imposed on camp locations in Teknaf and Ukhiya in Cox’s Bazar limited communications and access to information for nearly one million Rohingya refugees, and prevented humanitarian and aid organizations from providing assistance, including emergency services to those residing in the camps. One aid worker speaking to Human Rights Watch said the shutdown kept them from corresponding with refugees on emergency infrastructure repairs during the monsoon season. The shutdown extended to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. An open letter signed by 50 humanitarian organisations for the Bangladesh government pointed out that it restricted the ability of aid groups to coordinate preventive measures, deliver information about the coronavirus to refugees, refer patients to isolation facilities, and conduct ‘contact tracing’ to prevent its spread – activities that are slow and risks further exposure to the virus if done in person. Aid workers, health volunteers and community leaders rely on Whatsapp to communicate with and provide updates to refugees and each other. The Internet blackout had impeded timely intervention to stop the spread of measles in the camps in January 2020, leaving a dozen children dead. It has likewise prevented refugees from communicating, and receiving news on conditions in Rakhine State from their loved ones who are still in Myanmar.
Bangladesh
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 354 days
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Mobile Internet Services
Faisalabad, Jhang, Multan, Rahimyar Khan, Lahore Karachi & Islamabad
As the Shias will observe their most important ritual, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority on Sunday said mobile phone services would remain suspended on the Monday and Tuesday, besides heightening security in specified areas of all cities across the country
Pakistan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 days
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Internet Services
Azad Kashmir
In parts of Azad Kashmir, internet access has been cut as of 7th of September 2019 amid protests against India’s revocation of Article 370. Data show that PTCL networks were shut in Kashmir on multiple dates through August and the longest of these disruptions continues at the time of writing.
Pakistan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 0 minutes
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Curfew style downgrading of 3G and 4G internet from 5pm until 6am
Refugee Camps in Cox Bazar district and peninsula adjoining the Naf River
The order cut Internet services off completely in camps where Rohingya refugees were residing, and restricted the sale of mobile phones, SIM cards and services to Rohingya refugees. Blocking Internet access in areas where a humanitarian crisis is in full swing has detrimental consequences on aid agencies who need reliable access to coordinate, on the refugees themselves, many of whom depend on the Internet to communicate with loved ones and receive financial support from relatives around the world, and the local population in the areas where the Internet is being restricted.
Bangladesh
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 7 days
August 2019
-
Past
National shutdown
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 6 days
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Mobile Internet Services
Gangapur City, Sawai Madhopur District, Rajasthan
The administration has suspended mobile interest services in Gangapur City of Sawaimadhopur district after communal tension broke out in the city on Sunday. The administration has also imposed section 144 of CrPC banning gathering of five or more people.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 1 day
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