Day Four of Iraq High School Exam-Related Internet Shutdowns

Iraq

25 June, 2023 01:00 - 05:30 (4 hours)

Local Impact

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.

Data and Analysis

Cloudflare Radar shows the shutdown on 25 June, the fourth in this series of exam-related shutdowns. Note, the shutdown beginning to happen on 26 June.

Chart from Cloudflare Radar showing the Internet shutdown in Iraq on 25 June.

IODA measurements show a similar drop to the previous shutdowns, beginning at 01:00 and ending at 05:30 (UTC).

Chart from IODA showing measurements of Internet connectivity and the drop during the shutdown period.

Conversations

12th grade #exams have started in #Iraq, which means another ~5 hour #Internet #shutdown has occurred in Iraq. 12th grade exams are set for June 21, 22 ,24, 25, 26, 27; July 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15.

Iraq Internet connectivity in near realtime:https://t.co/3SrU04E7e8 pic.twitter.com/Uz9DFhHQI4

— Internet Outage Alerts (@IODA_live) June 21, 2023