Internet Shutdowns

Gabon's government ordered a public curfew and for the Internet to be shut down in Gabon following presidential, legislative, and local elections held on Saturday, 26 August 2023. Communications Minister Rodrigue Mboumba Bissawou said on public television that Internet access was suspended until further notice, noting the curfew and shutdown was ordered to "counter the spread of calls for violence... and false information." More than 40 civil society organizations issued a statement on 24 August 2023 calling on the government of Gabon to guarantee open and secure Internet access during the elections. The group stated that it is essential that governments adopt and prioritize measures to ensure that the election process is inclusive, free, and fair, by providing voters with unfettered access to information and avenues for free expression, both offline and online. On 30 August 2023, the military in Gabon seized power and placed the current president under house arrest. After the coup announcement, Internet service began returning across the country.

Government of Iraq is imposing daily shutdowns during second stage of grade 9 school exams for the third day on 26 August 2023.The 4 hour shutdowns of access to the Internet affects everyone in Iraq, except Kurdistan region which had its own shutdowns as reported here. The local government belief that this will reduce cheating during high school exams. We have repeatedly written about here 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.    

Government of Iraq is imposing daily shutdowns during second stage of grade 9 school exams for the third day on 24 August 2023.The 4 hour shutdowns of access to the Internet affects everyone in Iraq, except Kurdistan region which had its own shutdowns as reported here. The local government belief that this will reduce cheating during high school exams. We have repeatedly written about here 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.  

Government of Iraq is imposing daily shutdowns during second stage of grade 9 school exams for the third day on 23 August 2023.The 4 hour shutdowns of access to the Internet affects everyone in Iraq, except Kurdistan region which had its own shutdowns as reported here. The local government belief that this will reduce cheating during high school exams. We have repeatedly written about here 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.  

Authorities ordered for the Internet to be suspended in the Bagaha sub-division of West Champaran district following public unrest.  

Government of Iraq is imposing daily shutdowns during second stage of grade 9 school exams for the second day on 22 August 2023.The 4 hour shutdowns of access to the Internet affects everyone in Iraq, except Kurdistan region which had its own shutdowns as reported here. The local government belief that this will reduce cheating during high school exams. We have repeatedly written about here 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.  

Government of Iraq is imposing daily shutdowns during second stage of grade 9 school exams on 21 August 2023. The 4 hour shutdowns of access to the Internet affects everyone in Iraq, except Kurdistan region which had its own shutdowns as reported here. The local government belief that this will reduce cheating during high school exams. We have repeatedly written about here 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.