Every year, millions of people across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are forced offline when governments cut off the internet during national secondary and high school exams. Such shutdowns are often justified as necessary to combat cheating, but there’s no evidence that they are actually effective in doing so. What is clear, however, is that they are harmful, disproportionate, and disruptive.
Imposing internet shutdowns during exam periods disrupts people’s daily lives. Shutdowns stall economic activity, block access to healthcare, hinder online education, and impede communication. They also violate fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, access to information, and participation in public life.
Through the #NoExamShutdown campaign, Access Now, SMEX, and the Internet Society urge governments across the region and beyond to end this counterproductive practice and commit to safeguarding a free, open, and secure internet for everyone, all of the time.
What happened in 2024?
In 2024, exams were the trigger for at least 16 shutdowns in seven countries. In the MENA region, Iraq imposed multiple exam-related shutdowns, continuing a decade-long pattern. Jordan, which had refrained from blocking any apps in 2023, took a step backward by temporarily blocking access to WhatsApp and Telegram during Tawjihi exams. And continuing its long history of exam-related shutdowns, Algeria also cut connectivity.
Along with examples from Kenya and India, these shutdowns reflect a global trend of governments increasingly imposing practices that harm rights, livelihoods, and entire economies.
COUNTRIES ON THE WATCH
iraq
Since at least 2015, Iraqi authorities have routinely shut down the internet during national school exams. These blackouts have disrupted livelihoods, blocked access to essential services, and violated the right of people in Iraq to remain connected.
Despite repeated calls from civil society to end this harmful practice, nothing has changed in 2025.
Instead of continuing to cut connectivity, Iraq must invest in its education system, adopt rights-respecting policies against cheating, and uphold digital rights for all. We’ve continued pushing for an end to this practice during this year’s exam periods, from May 11 to 22 (sixth grade) and May 20 to June 3 (ninth grade). Join us in telling Iraqi authorities to #KeepItOn.
algeria
Since 2016, Algerian authorities have routinely shut down the internet during national exams, claiming it prevents cheating. Despite repeated warnings that this approach is disproportionate, ineffective, and harmful, the government continues to impose such shutdowns, disregarding people’s fundamental rights.
In 2024, the Baccalaureate exams saw internet disruptions at both country-wide and network levels, affecting families, small businesses, and access to essential services. These disruptions once again undermined economic activity, restricted communication, and violated people’s rights to freedom of expression and access to information.
It’s time to end these disruptions, starting with this year’s Baccalaureate exams from June 15 to 19.
Join us in calling on President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to #KeepItOn, this year and every year.
SYRIA
For years, the Syrian regime weaponized the internet; imposing shutdowns to silence dissent, obscure human rights violations, and disconnect people during critical moments. Since 2016, internet shutdowns during school exams have become routine, with authorities cutting mobile access for hours every morning during the exam period.
In 2024, this harmful pattern continued. But with a new government now in place, can Syria commit to protecting fundamental rights, including access to information and freedom of expression?
We are watching the following exams this year:
- Basic education certificate (general and religious) and vocational secondary certificate: June 14 to July 3.
- General secondary certificate (scientific and literary) and religious secondary certificate: July 5–28.
It’s time for Syria to turn the page and #KeepItOn.
jordan
In recent years, Jordanian authorities have blocked communication platforms during the Tawjihi (General Secondary Certificate) exams, despite having no legal justification to do so. Such blocks disrupt daily life for everyone relying on digital tools to communicate, connect, and work.
While in 2023 there were no shutdowns or app blocks, 2024 saw a return to poor form, with authorities reintroducing harmful restrictions during exams. It’s time to get back on track and #KeepItOn during this year’s Tawjihi exams, from June 19 to July 10.
SUDAN
Amid the ongoing and devastating conflict in Sudan, internet access has been weaponized to control narratives and suppress information, preventing people from communicating with loved ones or accessing life-saving resources.
But Sudanese authorities’ troubling record of shutting down the internet, including during national exams, predates the current war. Such restrictions often last for hours, disrupting businesses, cutting off essential services, and violating people’s rights.
With the country in crisis, and with secondary school certificate exams due to start on June 29, Sudan must choose a different path in 2025.
Join us in urging Sudanese authorities, and all parties to the conflict, to #KeepItOn.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
We believe in sharing the stories of people impacted by internet shutdowns. If you have experienced an exam-related blackout, please share your story with us using this form.
Join Access Now and our partners around the world in calling for MENA governments to #KeepItOn and commit to #NoExamShutdown. Follow us on social media for more information on how you can help end internet shutdowns.
