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
23,540 hours
of access to the Internet due to intentional disruptions.
Over the past 12 months, we estimate that
US $84,380,346
has been lost in combined GDP across all countries that have experienced Internet shutdowns
Shutdowns
November 2023
912 shutdowns
October 2023
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Beed, Maharashtra
Reports indicate that officials have ordered for Internet services to be suspended for 48 hours in parts of Maharashtra’s Beed district as part of an imposed curfew after public protests. 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 2 days
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Nayapaltan
The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) directed telecom operators to shut down Internet services on Saturday, 28 October 2023, from 11:00 to 20:00 local time in the capital, Nayapaltan, in response to a local political rally. A source from the BTRC confirmed the matter to Jago News. 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.
Bangladesh
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 9 hours
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Chhapra, Bihar
Reports indicate that officials have ordered Internet services to be suspended for 48 hours in the city of Chhapra in the state of Bihar to prevent public unrest following a clash during a religious procession.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 1 day
-
Ongoing
Regional shutdown
Gaza Strip
Internet connectivity into Gaza started being limited on the afternoon of 7 October 2023, coinciding with military activities by the Israeli forces, following attacks by Hamas militants across the border wall in southern Israel earlier that day.
Palestine, State of
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 829 days, 11 hours
September 2023
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Past
National shutdown
The government of Iraq is imposing daily Internet shutdowns during the second stage of middle/lower secondary school exams as part of its efforts to reduce cheating. The 3-hour shutdowns affect everyone in Iraq, except those in the Kurdistan region which had its own shutdowns as reported here. As we have repeatedly written about on Pulse, 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. It is the 42nd Internet shutdown event in Iraq in 2023.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 hours
-
Past
National shutdown
Authorities in Iran is imposing Internet shutdowns in the Sistan and Baluchistan region on 29 September 2023. We have repeatedly written about Internet shutdowns in Iran on Pulse. Internet shutdowns cause great harm to a country’s economy and society.
Iran
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 hours
-
Past
National shutdown
The government of Iraq is imposing daily Internet shutdowns during the second stage of middle/lower secondary school exams as part of its efforts to reduce cheating. The 3-hour shutdowns affect everyone in Iraq, except those in the Kurdistan region which had its own shutdowns as reported here. As we have repeatedly written about on Pulse, 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. It is the 42nd Internet shutdown event in Iraq in 2023.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 hours
-
Past
Regional shutdown
Mobile Internet, VPNs
Manipur
Orders for mobile Internet and VPNs to be suspended in Manipur, India, were reissued three days after they were lifted following a 142-day Internet shutdown. The new orders were first issued for a period of five days following the news of the deaths of two children, which resulted in violence. The orders have been extended several times. [Update] On 3 December 2023, the Manipur State Government removed the Internet shutdown in most parts of the state, citing improved law and order. According to a report, specific conflict areas remain under continued restrictions until 18 December. Mobile towers catering to services within a 2-kilometer radius along adjoining areas between districts, including Chandel and Kakching, Churachandpur and Bishnupur, Churachandpur and Kakching, Kangpokpi and Imphal West, Kangpokpi and Imphal East, Kangpokpi and Thoubal, as well as Tengnoupal and Kakching, will still face suspended operations.
India
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 68 days
-
Past
National shutdown
The government of Iraq is imposing daily Internet shutdowns during the second stage of middle/lower secondary school exams as part of its efforts to reduce cheating. The 3-hour shutdowns affect everyone in Iraq, except those in the Kurdistan region which had its own shutdowns as reported here. As we have repeatedly written about on Pulse, 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. It is the 41st Internet shutdown event in Iraq in 2023.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 hours
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