Internet Shutdowns
Who Shuts Down the Internet the Most?
Based on 912 shutdowns we've tracked since 2018
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423 -
160 -
73 -
37 -
18 -
17 -
17 -
14 -
11 -
10
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Europe
- Oceania
Ongoing
12
ongoing shutdowns around the world
97
Internet shutdowns around the world since January 2025
15
countries have experienced a total or partial Internet shutdown since January 2025
Since January 2025, the world’s population has lost a total of
23,524 hours
of access to the Internet due to intentional disruptions.
Over the past 12 months, we estimate that
US $82,968,408
has been lost in combined GDP across all countries that have experienced Internet shutdowns
Shutdowns
May 2024
912 shutdowns
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Past
National shutdown
At the request of the Syrian Ministry of Education, the Internet in Syria was suspended on the morning of 26 May 2024, between 6:00 and 11:00 local time (+3 UTC) ahead of the first day of high school exams. According to Syrian Telecom, these shutdowns will occur daily through 13 June. The #KeepItOn coalition, which the Internet Society is a member, recently urged Syrian and other authorities to abstain from implementing Internet shutdowns during exams, noting the lack of evidence demonstrating their impact on exam cheating, the economic cost of shutdowns on countries, and their violation of human rights. Syria ordered 11 Internet shutdowns in 2023, all related to exams.
Syria
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 5 hours
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Past
National shutdown
Iraq authorities ordered Internet services to be suspended again on the morning of 25 May 2024, between 6:00 and 8:00 local time (+3 UTC). The shutdown is the third this week and follows an announcement by Iraq's Ministry of Communication on 19 May 2024 stating that they will enact the Ministry of Education's request to order Internet shutdowns on exam days in May and June as part of its efforts to prevent cheating. In an open letter to the Prime Minister of Iraq, the #KeepItOn coalition, which the Internet Society is a member, recently urged authorities to abstain from implementing Internet shutdowns during exams. The letter notes the lack of evidence demonstrating their impact on exam cheating, the economic cost of shutdowns on the country, and their violation of human rights. Iraq ordered more than 40 Internet shutdowns last year, most of which were related to exams.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 hours
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Past
National shutdown
Iraq authorities ordered Internet services to be suspended again on the morning of 23 May 2024, between 6:00 and 8:00 local time (+3 UTC). The shutdown is the second this week and follows an announcement by Iraq's Ministry of Communication on 19 May 2024 stating that they will enact the Ministry of Education's request to order Internet shutdowns on exam days in May and June as part of its efforts to prevent cheating. In an open letter to the Prime Minister of Iraq, the #KeepItOn coalition, which the Internet Society is a member, recently urged authorities to abstain from implementing Internet shutdowns during exams. The letter notes the lack of evidence demonstrating their impact on exam cheating, the economic cost of shutdowns on the country, and their violation of human rights. Iraq ordered more than 40 Internet shutdowns last year, most of which were related to exams.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 hours
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Past
Regional shutdown
Saran
A clash between political party workers erupted near polling stations on 20 May 2024 that resulted in one death, prompted the Saran district administration to order an Internet shutdown for two days as a precautionary measure. While the order (see below) specified blocking of particular apps, reports suggest that all Internet services were affected. The orders were extended until 25 May 2024.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 days, 15 hours
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Past
National shutdown
Iraq authorities ordered Internet services to be suspended on 21 May 2024, between 6:00 and 8:00 local time (+3 UTC). The shutdown follows an announcement by Iraq's Ministry of Communication on 19 May 2024 stating that they will enact the Ministry of Education's request to order Internet shutdowns on exam days in May and June as part of its efforts to prevent cheating. In an open letter to the Prime Minister of Iraq, the #KeepItOn coalition, which the Internet Society is a member, recently urged authorities to abstain from implementing Internet shutdowns during exams. The letter notes the lack of evidence demonstrating their impact on exam cheating, the economic cost of shutdowns on the country, and their violation of human rights. Iraq ordered more than 40 Internet shutdowns last year, most of which were related to exams.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 hours
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Past
Regional shutdown
Dhupguri, West Bengal
There are reports of Internet services being suspended as part of Section 144 orders by police in Dhupguri, West Bengal. The orders were given following the vandalism of temples in the region.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 93 days
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Past
Regional shutdown
Mobile Internet
Azad Jammu and Kashmir
There have been reports of mobile Internet services being partially suspended in parts of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir region in northern Pakistan to stop protesters marching towards the regional capital. According to reports, protesters are marching against inflation. [Update 14 March] According to recent reports, the Chief Secretary of Azad Kashmir announced on Tuesday, 14 March, that Internet services have been restored in Azad Jammu and Kashmir following the authorities accepting protesters' demands.
Pakistan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 2 days
April 2024
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Past
Regional shutdown
mobile services
Punjab and Balochistan provinces
Cellular services were suspended in parts of the Punjab and Balochistan provinces on 21-22 April 2024 because of by-elections in 21 constituencies held on Sunday, 21 April. According to the the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), which regulates the Internet, the decision was taken per the direction of the interior ministry. Reports suggest the PTA announcement came hours after the Punjab government requested the interior ministry to suspend mobile phone services during by-elections in Talagang, Chakwal, Kallar Kahar, Gujrat, Ali Pur Chatha, Zafarwal, Bhakkar, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Lahore, Sadiqabad, Kot Chutta, and Dera Ghazi Khan. 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. We encourage all governments to #KeepItOn.
Pakistan
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 1 day
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Past
Regional shutdown
Mobile Internet Services
Leh District, Ladakh
Local mobile Internet services were ordered to be suspended in the district of Leh on 5 April as part of the Ladakh administration imposed Section 144, which sought to ban public rallies ahead of the proposed ‘Pashmina March’. Organizers claim that 10,000 participants will join the event. Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact citizens' ability 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
March 2024
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