National shutdown
Internet Services
Iraq experienced its second Internet shutdown in as many days. The shutdown was ordered by government authorities to curb cheating during high school exams. Shutdowns are expected daily from 21-27 June 2023. As we have repeatedly written about here on Pulse how Internet shutdowns cause great harm to a country’s economy and society and are in our opinion NOT the appropriate mechanism to cope with potential exam cheating.
- Total Duration 4 hours
Iraq
- Population
- 47,020,774
Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Partly Free
Local impact
Iraq experienced its second Internet shutdown in as many days. The shutdown was ordered by government authorities to curb cheating during high school exams. Shutdowns are expected daily from 21-27 June 2023. As we have repeatedly written about here on Pulse how Internet shutdowns cause great harm to a country’s economy and society and are in our opinion NOT the appropriate mechanism to cope with potential exam cheating.
Related documentation
Below is a screenshot of the Iraq High School exam schedule for June and July 2023 as per the Iraqi Ministry of Education page on Facebook.
Other supporting information
IODA measurements show a similar drop to yesterday's shutdown, beginning at 01:00 and ending at 05:30 (UTC).
Cloudflare Radar also shows the shutdown.
Social media
12th grade #exams have started in #Iraq, which means another ~5 hour #Internet #shutdown has occurred in Iraq. 12th grade exams are set for June 21, 22 ,24, 25, 26, 27; July 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15.
— IODA (@IODA_live) June 21, 2023
Iraq Internet connectivity in near realtime:https://t.co/3SrU04E7e8 pic.twitter.com/Uz9DFhHQI4