Internet Shutdowns

• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Mobile

  Bhainsa, in Andhra Pradesh

  Authorities suspended Internet services in Bhainsa town in the district of Andhra Pradesh on 8 March 2021 to maintain law and order following civil unrest. 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 8 March 2021 00:00 UTC
  • End 8 March 2021 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 0 minutes
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Broadband, Mobile

  N'djamena

  There are reports that Internet Service Providers in Chad were disrupted from 23:30 local time on Thursday, 4 March, until the evening of Friday, 5 March. These measures come two days after another unconfirmed Internet shutdown in the city came to an end.

  Chad

  • Start 4 March 2021 15:30 UTC
  • End 5 March 2021 14:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 22 hours
• Past

  Service blocking

  Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Telegram

  The Senegalese government blocked access to social media and messaging apps such as Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and some Telegram servers starting on the evening of Thursday, March 4, and continuing until March 5th, 2021. The blocking of social media and messaging was implemented after one of the biggest series of protests in Senegal's modern history. The protests were sparked by the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko on charges of rape and public disruption.  

  Senegal

  • Start 4 March 2021 00:00 UTC
  • End 5 March 2021 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 1 day
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Anantnag and Kulgam districts

  India

  • Start 3 March 2021 00:00 UTC
  • End 3 March 2021 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 0 minutes

February 2021

• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Broadband, Mobile

  Cities of Almaty and Nur-Sultan

  The Internet was shut down in at least the Kazakhstan cities of Almaty and Nur-Sultan on 28 February 2021 during anti-government protests calling for the release of political prisoners.

  Kazakhstan

  • Start 28 February 2021 00:00 UTC
  • End 28 February 2021 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 0 minutes
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Broadband, Mobile

  N'djamena

  Unverified reports suggest that Internet services have been disrupted in Chad's capital city, N'djamena, since around 8:00 local time on 27 February 2021.

  Chad

  • Start 27 February 2021 00:00 UTC
  • End 3 March 2021 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 4 days
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Mobile

  District Anantnag

  Authorities ordered local telecommunication providers to suspend mobile data services in the district of Anantnag on 24 February 2021 (between 10:30 to 16:10 local time) to maintain law and order following terrorist activities in the region. This was the second time the Internet has been suspended in the region in a month. 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 24 February 2021 10:30 UTC
  • End 24 February 2021 16:10 UTC
  • Total Duration 5 hours
• Past

  National shutdown

  From February 24 to March 5, 2021, mobile internet was disrupted in Niger after the presidential election was followed by massive protests. As part of the government's attempts to clamp down on protests, Internet access was suspended for 10 days. Internet shutdowns during protests, elections, exams 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.

  Niger

  • Start 24 February 2021 01:00 UTC
  • End 5 March 2021 23:59 UTC
  • Total Duration 9 days, 22 hours
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Broadband, Mobile

  Sistan and Baluchistan

  Iran

  • Start 24 February 2021 00:00 UTC
  • End 28 February 2021 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 4 days
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Mobile

  District of Shopian, in Jammu and Kashmir

  Authorities ordered local telecommunication providers to suspend mobile data services in the district of Shopian from 18 February 2022 (23:40 local time) to 19 February 2021 (21:15 local time) to maintain law and order following terrorist activities in the region. 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 18 February 2021 23:40 UTC
  • End 19 February 2021 21:15 UTC
  • Total Duration 21 hours