Internet Shutdowns

ENDING INTERNET SHUTDOWNS

Internet shutdowns threaten human rights around the world. They harm everyone: human rights defenders, journalists, protesters, emergency services, businesses, educators, and more. Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition work with stakeholders across sectors to end internet shutdowns worldwide.

KeepItOn 2023 Report Internet Shutdowns
CAMPAIGN

KeepItOn: Fighting internet shutdowns around the world

In 2023, Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition recorded 283 internet shutdowns in 39 countries around the world, the highest number since we started the Shutdown Tracker Optimization Project (STOP).

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

KeepItOn 2024 Elections and Internet Shutdowns Watch

Content Governance

2024 elections and internet shutdowns watch

Governments around the world continue to shut down the internet during elections. Join our 2024 elections watch to #KeepItOn.

DRC #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

|

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

DRC #KeepItOn
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: les autorités doivent rétablir l’accès à Goma et dans toute la RDC

5 Feb 2025

The #KeepItOn coalition urgently demand that authorities in the DRC stop imposing internet shutdowns amid the ongoing conflict.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: les autorités doivent rétablir l’accès à Goma et dans toute la RDC
5 Feb 2025
#KeepItOn: les autorités doivent rétablir l’accès à Goma et dans toute la RDC
Access Now theme
Connectivity
Connectivity

Holding space for human rights: improving the governance of satellite internet connectivity

5 Feb 2025

From obstructed humanitarian access to the weaponization of personal digital devices, internet connectivity is an issue that carries multiple layers of harms
— one that we are only just starting to unpack.

Publication
Holding space for human rights: improving the governance of satellite internet connectivity
5 Feb 2025
Holding space for human rights: improving the governance of satellite internet connectivity
DRC #KeepItOn
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: authorities must restore access in Goma and across the DRC

3 Feb 2025

The #KeepItOn coalition urgently demand that authorities in the DRC stop imposing internet shutdowns amid the ongoing conflict.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: authorities must restore access in Goma and across the DRC
3 Feb 2025
#KeepItOn: authorities must restore access in Goma and across the DRC
DRC #KeepItOn
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

South Sudan lifts social media ban

3 Feb 2025
News
South Sudan lifts social media ban
OkayAfrica ↗
3 Feb 2025
South Sudan lifts social media ban
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

2025 elections and internet shutdowns watch

30 Jan 2025

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

Campaign
2025 elections and internet shutdowns watch
30 Jan 2025
2025 elections and internet shutdowns watch
South Sudan #KeepItOn
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: authorities must restore access to social media in South Sudan and uphold human rights

24 Jan 2025

The #KeepItOn coalition demands the government of South Sudan put an immediate end to the ongoing social media shutdowns in the country.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: authorities must restore access to social media in South Sudan and uphold human rights
24 Jan 2025
#KeepItOn: authorities must restore access to social media in South Sudan and uphold human rights
ICC arrest warrants for Israeli leaders put Big Tech on notice
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Ceasefire in Gaza: it’s time to end digital harms and deliver justice

20 Jan 2025

As physical violence appears to be coming to a halt after 15 months in Gaza, Access Now further calls for a digital ceasefire.

Press Release
Ceasefire in Gaza: it’s time to end digital harms and deliver justice
20 Jan 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza: it’s time to end digital harms and deliver justice
France blocks TikTok in New Caledonia
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

What happened when other countries banned TikTok

20 Jan 2025
News
What happened when other countries banned TikTok
Washington Post ↗
20 Jan 2025
What happened when other countries banned TikTok
France blocks TikTok in New Caledonia
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Here’s what happened when India banned TikTok in 2020

20 Jan 2025
News
Here’s what happened when India banned TikTok in 2020
TIME ↗
20 Jan 2025
Here’s what happened when India banned TikTok in 2020
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Tackling the “black snakes” undermining digital rights worldwide 

16 Jan 2025

As 2025 gets underway, Access Now’s new Executive Director, Alejandro Mayoral Baños, PhD, shares his reflections on the “black snakes” threatening the digital rights movement.

Post
Tackling the “black snakes” undermining digital rights worldwide 
16 Jan 2025
Tackling the “black snakes” undermining digital rights worldwide 
STOP Methodology KeepItOn Socials
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Asia’s internet shutdowns pose risks for telecom operators

20 Dec 2024
News
Asia’s internet shutdowns pose risks for telecom operators
Nikkei Asia ↗
20 Dec 2024
Asia’s internet shutdowns pose risks for telecom operators
DRC #KeepItOn
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: authorities in Pakistan must stop the ongoing suppression of digital rights

12 Dec 2024

The #KeepItOn coalition urges the government of Pakistan to immediately bring an end to the ongoing blatant violation of fundamental rights in the country.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: authorities in Pakistan must stop the ongoing suppression of digital rights
12 Dec 2024
#KeepItOn: authorities in Pakistan must stop the ongoing suppression of digital rights
DRC #KeepItOn
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Analysts troubled by trend of internet, social media shutdowns in Africa

5 Dec 2024
News
Analysts troubled by trend of internet, social media shutdowns in Africa
Voice of America ↗
5 Dec 2024
Analysts troubled by trend of internet, social media shutdowns in Africa
DRC #KeepItOn
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Internet shutdown: stakeholders urge Ghana government to prioritise uninterrupted internet access

29 Nov 2024
News
Internet shutdown: stakeholders urge Ghana government to prioritise uninterrupted internet access
Joy News ↗
29 Nov 2024
Internet shutdown: stakeholders urge Ghana government to prioritise uninterrupted internet access
STOP Methodology KeepItOn Socials
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Any order suspending telecom services must be public: new rule

29 Nov 2024
News
Any order suspending telecom services must be public: new rule
Hindustan Times ↗
29 Nov 2024
Any order suspending telecom services must be public: new rule
DRC #KeepItOn
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Ghana must uphold its record of no shutdowns — during upcoming elections, authorities must #KeepItOn

27 Nov 2024
Press Release
Ghana must uphold its record of no shutdowns — during upcoming elections, authorities must #KeepItOn
27 Nov 2024
Ghana must uphold its record of no shutdowns — during upcoming elections, authorities must #KeepItOn