Internet Shutdowns

• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Western Oromia, Wellega

  The shutdown in Tigray, home to around 6 million people, has hampered the delivery of aid, cut people’s contact with loved ones, devastated the local economy, and stopped reporters from bringing the plight of the region to the world’s stage. A new report by Top10VPN, a London-based VPN review firm that assesses internet privacy, security, and freedom, estimated that local businesses have lost $145.8 million just in 2021 due to the blackout in Tigray. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization was quoted as saying it needed to resort to communicating via paper reports that had to be delivered by hand. Internet access restrictions also exacerbated the spread of misinformation during the conflict, as people struggled to get access to news about what was happening on the ground, fuelling speculations and falsehoods.  

  Ethiopia

  • Start 4 November 2020 00:00 UTC
  • End 31 January 2023 19:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 818 days, 19 hours
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Tigray

  The Ethiopian government restricted telephone and internet services to the troubled Tigray region, in response to an ambush on the military on 3 November 2020.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.

  Ethiopia

  • Start 3 November 2020 22:00 UTC
  • End 6 November 2020 04:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 2 days, 6 hours
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Pulwama district

  India

  • Start 1 November 2020 00:00 UTC
  • End 2 November 2020 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 1 day
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Arunachal Pradesh

  India

  • Start 1 November 2020 00:00 UTC
  • End 1 November 2020 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 0 minutes

October 2020

• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Karauli

  Bharatpur

  Temporary suspension of Telecom Services due to public safety issues in Bharatpur on 30 October 2020. 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 30 October 2020 00:00 UTC
  • End 4 November 2020 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 5 days
• Past

  Service blocking

  Blocking of Google Products in Tanzania on October 27, 2020. 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.

  Tanzania

  • Start 26 October 2020 00:00 UTC
  • End 6 November 2020 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 11 days
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir

  Internet services were suspended in Awantipora the Jammu and Kashmir region on 26 October 2020. It is believed to be imposed under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, which allows the government to impose curfews and other restrictions 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 other countries.

  India

  • Start 26 October 2020 00:00 UTC
  • End 26 October 2020 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 0 minutes
• Past

  National shutdown

  Internet access across Guinea was reportedly disrupted on 23 October following the announcement of presidential elections.

  Guinea

  • Start 23 October 2020 09:00 UTC
  • End 27 October 2020 13:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 4 days, 4 hours
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  'Pulwama district

  Temporary suspension of Telecom Services due to Public Safety Issues in Pulwama district on 20 October 2020. 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 20 October 2020 00:00 UTC
  • End 21 October 2020 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 1 day
• Past

  Regional shutdown

  'Shopian district

  India

  • Start 19 October 2020 00:00 UTC
  • End 20 October 2020 00:00 UTC
  • Total Duration 1 day