Internet Shutdowns
Who Shuts Down the Internet the Most?
Based on 919 shutdowns we've tracked since 2018
-
430 -
160 -
73 -
37 -
18 -
17 -
17 -
14 -
11 -
10
- Africa
- Americas
- Asia
- Europe
- Oceania
Ongoing
12
ongoing shutdowns around the world
103
Internet shutdowns around the world since January 2025
14
countries have experienced a total or partial Internet shutdown since January 2025
Since January 2025, the world’s population has lost a total of
21,786 hours
of access to the Internet due to intentional disruptions.
Over the past 12 months, we estimate that
US $95,277,876
has been lost in combined GDP across all countries that have experienced Internet shutdowns
Shutdowns
July 2023
919 shutdowns
June 2023
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Past
Regional shutdown
Kishtwar district
Internet Shutdown in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir to prevent the spread of rumors on 28 June 2023.It is believed to be imposed under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, which allows the government to impose curfews and other restrictions in order to maintain public order.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 1 day
-
Past
National shutdown
Cellular and Fixed Broadband
The second Internet shutdown by the Syrian government during national exams happened between 5:00 and 8:30 local time on 26 June 2023 with more expected at the same time over the coming days. As reported by SMEX, this is not the first time the Syrian government has resorted to Internet shutdowns during national school exams. In May 2018 and August 2020, the authorities implemented the same measure during the secondary school certificate exams period. Similarly, in August 2022, the telecommunications company published a comparable schedule detailing the dates and areas affected by the service interruption. It stated that this procedure is in accordance with “the Ministry of Education’s request to ensure the examination process runs smoothly and to counter cyber intrusions and attacks on the secondary certificate exams.” As 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.
Syria
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 hours
-
Past
National shutdown
Iraq experienced its fifth Internet shutdown in the most recent series of exam-related shutdowns ordered by government authorities to curb cheating during high school exams period. Another shutdown is expected on 27 June 2023 and then the series of shutdowns will start again on 4 July 2023. As 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.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 4 hours
-
Past
National shutdown
Cellular and Fixed Broadband
Syria has joined Iraq and Algeria in conducting nationwide Internet shutdowns to curb cheating prior to national curriculum exams. The first of the shutdowns happened between 5:00 and 8:30 local time on 25 June 2023 with more expected at the same time over the coming days. As reported by SMEX, this is not the first time the Syrian government has resorted to Internet shutdowns during national school exams. In May 2018 and August 2020, the authorities implemented the same measure during the secondary school certificate exams period. Similarly, in August 2022, the telecommunications company published a comparable schedule detailing the dates and areas affected by the service interruption. It stated that this procedure is in accordance with “the Ministry of Education’s request to ensure the examination process runs smoothly and to counter cyber intrusions and attacks on the secondary certificate exams.” As 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.
Syria
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 3 hours
-
Past
National shutdown
Iraq experienced its fourth Internet shutdown in the most recent series of exam-related shutdowns ordered by government authorities to curb cheating during high school exams period. Shutdowns are expected on 26 and 27 June 2023 and will recommence on 4 July 2023. As 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.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 4 hours
-
Past
National shutdown
Iraq experienced its third Internet shutdown on 24 June 2023, in a new series of exam-related shutdowns ordered by government authorities to curb cheating during high school exams period. Shutdowns are expected into next week. As 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.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 4 hours
-
Past
National shutdown
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.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 4 hours
-
Past
National shutdown
Iraq is still experiencing its longest stretch without an Internet Shutdown. It is becoming customary to shutdown access to the Internet in the hours prior to school exams. This time with the start of high school exams. As 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.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 4 hours
-
Past
National shutdown
Iraq is experiencing its longest stretch without an Internet Shutdown this month following the eighth scheduled exam-related Internet shutdown in the early morning of 17 June. As 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.
Iraq
- Start
- End
- Total Duration 4 hours
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