Past

Regional shutdown

Tigray

The Ethiopian government restricted telephone and internet services to the troubled Tigray region, in response to an ambush on the military on 3 November 2020.

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.

  • Total Duration 2 days, 6 hours

Flag of Ethiopia Ethiopia

Population
128,691,692
UN Classification
  • Least Developed Country
  • Land Locked Developing Country

Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Not Free

View full country profile for Ethiopia

Local impact

The Ethiopian government restricted telephone and internet services to the troubled Tigray region, in response to an ambush on the military on 3 November 2020.

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.

Related documentation

Other supporting information

It’s difficult to measure the effect of local/regional Internet shutdowns as most measurements are done at a country level.

Social media

Ethiopia shuts down telephone, internet services in Tigray-The EastAfrican      

Media coverage

Ethiopia shuts down telephone, internet services in Tigray-The EastAfrican