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
21,605 hours
of access to the Internet due to intentional disruptions.
Over the past 12 months, we estimate that
US $74,538,070
has been lost in combined GDP across all countries that have experienced Internet shutdowns
Shutdowns
January 2019
908 shutdowns
-
Past
Regional shutdown
mobile data services
Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir
On 3 January, authorities ordered local telecommunication providers to suspend mobile data services in Tral and Awantipora areas of South Kashmir district following a gunfight between militants and the armed forces. 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
Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 0 minutes
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Internet
Bhima Koregaon village, Pune district, Maharashtra state
Authorities ordered local telecommunication providers to suspend Internet services in the district of Koregaon Bhima on 1 January 2021 to prevent 'rumors or provocative messages on social media' from being spread. 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 1 day
-
Ongoing
Service blocking
Facebook, Google, Instagram, LinkedIn, Messenger, Reddit, TikTok, Telegram, Vimeo, WhatsApp, X, Yahoo, YouTube
Multiple Internet services have been blocked in China since 2002, the most significant being Facebook, Google, Instagram, LinkedIn, Messenger, Reddit, TikTok, Telegram, Vimeo, WhatsApp, X, Yahoo, and YouTube.
China
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2546 days, 18 hours
December 2018
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Past
National shutdown
Internet, SMS
DR Congo
The UN cited reports that the shutdown prevented electoral observers and witnesses in rural polling stations from communicating with local centres where results were being compiled, and made it difficult for the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) to reach its field partners, including those offering protection to vulnerable civilians. Local media outlets had to temporarily relocate their staff to Brazzavile, the capital of neighboring Republic of Congo, and to Rwanda to be able to access the Internet and report without restrictions. The shutdown also encouraged the smuggling of contraband mobile phone SIM cards, sold at an inflated price, from the Republic of Congo, whose network coverage extend to nearby areas across the border. Local consumer rights group, the Consumers Union of Congo, filed a complaint against mobile service providers Vodacom, Orange, Airtel and Africell over the shutdown to the Kinshasa Commercial Court. The group claims that operators unilaterally broke their service contract with their subscribers by cutting their access to the Internet.
Congo (the Democratic Republic of the)
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 20 days
-
Past
Service blocking
Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram
Sudan
There have been media reports that Sudanese authorities are blocking access to popular social media platforms amidst nationwide anti-government protests triggered by an economic crisis. The report quotes the head of Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Service, Salah Abdallah saying "There was a discussion in the government about blocking social media sites and in the end it was decided to block them."
Sudan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 67 days
October 2018
March 2018
- Page 91 of 91.