Internet Shutdowns

ENDING INTERNET SHUTDOWNS

Internet shutdowns are always an attack on human rights. When people are disconnected, it impacts all aspects of life — from work and education, to medical care and banking. Shutdowns block journalism, restrict free expression and community organizing, and prevent documentation of human rights abuses. During conflict and crisis, they stop people from accessing life-saving information and humanitarian aid.

STOP Methodology KeepItOn 2023
CAMPAIGN

KeepItOn: why we’re updating our internet shutdown tracking methodology

Documenting internet shutdowns around the world shines a light on a weapon that keeps people in the dark. The Shutdown Tracker Optimization Project (STOP), an extensive dataset of nearly 1,750 shutdowns that have occurred since 2016, supports civil society in holding governments and perpetrators accountable for blatant human rights violations.

RESOURCES

#NoExamShutdown motto

Freedom of Expression

Tell MENA authorities: #NoExamShutdown

Year after year, the MENA region has led the world in exam-related shutdowns. With the 2024 exam season in the region quickly approaching, it’s time to take action and demand change! #NoExamShutdown

Content Governance

2025 elections and internet shutdowns watch

Governments around the world continue to shut down the internet during elections. Join our 2025 elections watch to #KeepItOn.

Authorities Gabon #KeepItOn

Freedom of Expression

The most violent year: internet shutdowns in 2023

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented 283 internet shutdowns in 2023 — the highest number since 2016.

#KeepItOn during elections

Digital Security

Taxonomy of a shutdown: 8 ways governments restrict access to the internet, and how to #KeepItOn

Our new guide explains the technology behind network interference to help people prepare for, circumvent, and document internet shutdowns.

#KeepItOn

Internet Shutdowns

KeepItOn: frequently asked questions

#KeepItOn: A global movement to end internet shutdowns 1. What is the #KeepItOn campaign? It’s a campaign launched by Access Now in 2016 to help unite and organize the efforts of activists

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Freedom of Expression

Have questions about internet shutdowns? Kill Switch has answers

Why aren’t internet shutdowns illegal? Are there ways to bypass them? Can we fight internet shutdowns in court? Does anyone see a way to end shutdowns, once and for all? Kill Switch podcast has the answers.

KeepItOn Election shutdown handbook header image

Internet Shutdowns

Internet shutdowns and elections handbook

Internet shutdowns and elections handbook A guide for election observers, embassies, activists, and journalists [Leer en español] [Читайте на русском] This handbook explains how internet shutdowns undermine democractic elections and

Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet

Connectivity

Palestine unplugged: how Israel disrupts Gaza’s internet

This report illustrates the state of Gaza’s internet throughout October 2023 by looking at internet traffic by ISPs and locations.

Advocating to #KeepItOn during elections: what you can do

Latest updates

Images representing shutdown stories surrounding the island of Annobón
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Petition: help end the internet shutdown in Annobón

3 Jul 2025
Campaign
Petition: help end the internet shutdown in Annobón
3 Jul 2025
Petition: help end the internet shutdown in Annobón
#KeepItOn Annobón Shutdown Stories
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn pide a la Comisión Africana de Derechos Humanos y de los Pueblos que ayude a poner fin al apagón de internet en Annóbon

3 Jul 2025

Nos dirigimos a usted, Comisionada Topsy-Sonoo, a la Comisión Africana de Derechos Humanos y de los Pueblos, y a los Estados parte de la Carta Africana, para que condenen las violaciones de derechos humanos cometidas por el gobierno de Guinea Ecuatorial, denuncien el prolongado apagón, y contribuyan a restablecer el acceso al internet en Annobón.

Press Release
#KeepItOn pide a la Comisión Africana de Derechos Humanos y de los Pueblos que ayude a poner fin al apagón de internet en Annóbon
3 Jul 2025
#KeepItOn pide a la Comisión Africana de Derechos Humanos y de los Pueblos que ayude a poner fin al apagón de internet en Annóbon
#KeepItOn Annobón Shutdown Stories
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to help end the shutdown in Annobón

3 Jul 2025

We are petitioning you, Commissioner Topsy-Sonoo, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and individual state signatories to the African Charter to condemn the Equatorial Guinea government’s human rights violations, the prolonged shutdown, and to help reestablish internet access in Annobón.  

Press Release
#KeepItOn call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to help end the shutdown in Annobón
3 Jul 2025
#KeepItOn call on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to help end the shutdown in Annobón
#KeepItOn Annobón Shutdown Stories
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

La coalición #KeepItOn intensifica su campaña para detener el apagón de internet que sufre Annobón

3 Jul 2025

Access Now y la coalición #KeepItOn han lanzado hoy una campaña para movilizar el apoyo internacional y exigir el fin del actual apagón de internet en Annobón, una provincia insular de Guinea Ecuatorial.

Press Release
La coalición #KeepItOn intensifica su campaña para detener el apagón de internet que sufre Annobón
3 Jul 2025
La coalición #KeepItOn intensifica su campaña para detener el apagón de internet que sufre Annobón
#KeepItOn Annobón Shutdown Stories
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn coalition ramps up campaign to end prolonged shutdown in Annobón

3 Jul 2025

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition have today launched a campaign to galvanize international support in demanding an end to the ongoing internet shutdown in Annobón, an island province of Equatorial Guinea.

Press Release
#KeepItOn coalition ramps up campaign to end prolonged shutdown in Annobón
3 Jul 2025
#KeepItOn coalition ramps up campaign to end prolonged shutdown in Annobón
Images representing shutdown stories surrounding the island of Annobón
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Why Annobón’s internet shutdown should matter to the world

3 Jul 2025

The ongoing internet shutdown in Annobón has cut off 5,300 residents from each other, from their loved ones abroad, and from the world, even as the government of Equatorial Guinea continues cracking down on dissent.

Post
Why Annobón’s internet shutdown should matter to the world
3 Jul 2025
Why Annobón’s internet shutdown should matter to the world
Images representing shutdown stories surrounding the island of Annobón
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

¿Por qué el apagón de internet en Annobón debería importarle a todo el mundo?

3 Jul 2025

El contínuo apagón digital en Annobón ha dejado a 5,300 residentes sin poder comunicarse entre ellos, con sus familiares afuera y con el resto del mundo, incluso mientras el gobierno de Guinea Ecuatorial continúa reprimiendo la disidencia.

Post
¿Por qué el apagón de internet en Annobón debería importarle a todo el mundo?
3 Jul 2025
¿Por qué el apagón de internet en Annobón debería importarle a todo el mundo?
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Tell MENA authorities: #NoExamShutdown

27 Jun 2025

Year after year, the MENA region has led the world in exam-related shutdowns. It’s time to take action and demand change! #NoExamShutdown

Campaign
Tell MENA authorities: #NoExamShutdown
27 Jun 2025
Tell MENA authorities: #NoExamShutdown
Togo elections internet access
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Joint statement on protecting human rights online and preventing internet shutdowns in times of armed conflict

27 Jun 2025
Press Release
Joint statement on protecting human rights online and preventing internet shutdowns in times of armed conflict
27 Jun 2025
Joint statement on protecting human rights online and preventing internet shutdowns in times of armed conflict
Mozambique #KeepItOn
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Kenya must obey court orders and #KeepItOn during protests

26 Jun 2025

We demand that Kenyan authorities uphold human rights, restore full internet access, and refrain from imposing any future shutdowns in the country.

Press Release
Kenya must obey court orders and #KeepItOn during protests
26 Jun 2025
Kenya must obey court orders and #KeepItOn during protests
Togo elections internet access
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Panamá debe restablecer el acceso a Internet y telefonía móvil en Bocas del Toro de forma inmediata

26 Jun 2025
Press Release
Panamá debe restablecer el acceso a Internet y telefonía móvil en Bocas del Toro de forma inmediata
26 Jun 2025
Panamá debe restablecer el acceso a Internet y telefonía móvil en Bocas del Toro de forma inmediata
Israel Gaza
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn:イスラエルはガザの国際社会からの遮断をやめよ

22 Jun 2025

私たちは、イスラエル当局とすべての関係者に対し、ガザにおけるインターネットと通信サービスへの完全なアクセスを回復するよう求める。

Press Release
#KeepItOn:イスラエルはガザの国際社会からの遮断をやめよ
22 Jun 2025
#KeepItOn:イスラエルはガザの国際社会からの遮断をやめよ
Israel Gaza
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: Israel must stop cutting Gaza off from the world

19 Jun 2025

We call on authorities in Israel and all relevant actors to restore full access to internet and communication services in Gaza.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Israel must stop cutting Gaza off from the world
19 Jun 2025
#KeepItOn: Israel must stop cutting Gaza off from the world
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Digital ceasefire: the path to peace goes online

19 Jun 2025

In today’s era of digital warfare, digital ceasefires are cornerstones on the pathway to peace. Access Now has been working with peace-building experts to discuss exactly what a digital ceasefire should look like.

Post
Digital ceasefire: the path to peace goes online
19 Jun 2025
Digital ceasefire: the path to peace goes online
Image shows a deteriorated electrical plug shaped like rubik cube, connecting to an elecrical port shaped like an unlocked padlock.
Connectivity
Connectivity

نحو مستقبل رقمي آمن وحر في سوريا

22 May 2025

رفع العقوبات عن سوريا خطوة مهمة نحو التقدّم، لكن لا يزال أمام السوريين الكثير لبناء مستقبل رقمي حر وآمن ومفتوح.

Post
نحو مستقبل رقمي آمن وحر في سوريا
22 May 2025
نحو مستقبل رقمي آمن وحر في سوريا
Image shows a deteriorated electrical plug shaped like rubik cube, connecting to an elecrical port shaped like an unlocked padlock.
Connectivity
Connectivity

Reclaiming Syria’s digital future

22 May 2025
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Reclaiming Syria’s digital future
22 May 2025
Reclaiming Syria’s digital future