Internet Shutdowns

ENDING INTERNET SHUTDOWNS

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

GUIDE

KeepItOn: Fighting internet shutdowns around the world

In 2021, Access Now’s Shutdown Tracker Optimization Project (STOP), in collaboration with the #KeepItOn coalition, recorded at least 182 internet shutdowns in 34 countries worldwide, including the longest internet shutdowns on record.

RESOURCES

Image: KeepItOn elections watch 2022

Freedom of Expression

#KeepItOn: 2022 elections and internet shutdowns watch

Elections and internet shutdowns are a disaster for democracy. See which countries the #KeepItOn coalition is watching in 2022.

#KeepItOn Report - The return of digital authoritarianism: internet shutdowns in 2021

Digital Security

Internet shutdowns in 2021: the return of digital authoritarianism

In 2021, Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented 182 internet shutdowns across 34 countries. This shows a dramatic resurgence of this oppressive form of control.

Earthquake Turkey

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.

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

#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.

Advocating to #KeepItOn during elections: what you can do

Latest updates

Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

A Manhunt in India Left 27 Million People Without Mobile Internet

30 Mar 2023
News
A Manhunt in India Left 27 Million People Without Mobile Internet
Parth M N ↗
30 Mar 2023
A Manhunt in India Left 27 Million People Without Mobile Internet
The #KeepItOn coalition calls on authorities in Iran to immediately reinstate full internet access across the country.
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

To defend democracy, stand up for civil society 

30 Mar 2023

As governments, businesses, and civil society organizations gather for the 2nd U.S. Summit for Democracy, our message is clear: to defend democracy in the digital age, states must stand up for civil society, online and off.

Post
To defend democracy, stand up for civil society 
30 Mar 2023
To defend democracy, stand up for civil society 
#KeepItOn 2022 Report: Weapons of control, shields of impunity - internet shutdowns in 2022
Content Governance
Content Governance

حجب الإنترنت في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا في سنة 2022: تواصل للانتهاكات والإفلات من العقاب

29 Mar 2023

قامت 11 دولة في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا بفرض عمليات حجب للإنترنت في 37 مناسبة، حيث تصدّرت إيران هذه القائمة من خلال قطعها للإنترنت 18 مرة.

Press Release
حجب الإنترنت في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا في سنة 2022: تواصل للانتهاكات والإفلات من العقاب
29 Mar 2023
حجب الإنترنت في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا في سنة 2022: تواصل للانتهاكات والإفلات من العقاب
#KeepItOn 2022 Report: Weapons of control, shields of impunity - internet shutdowns in 2022
Content Governance
Content Governance

Internet shutdowns in MENA in 2022: continued abuses and impunity

29 Mar 2023

In 2022, authorities across the Middle East and North Africa shutdown the internet 37 times — with Iran hitting the kill switch a staggering 18 times.

Press Release
Internet shutdowns in MENA in 2022: continued abuses and impunity
29 Mar 2023
Internet shutdowns in MENA in 2022: continued abuses and impunity
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

India can’t find a Sikh separatist leader, but its manhunt has got the world’s attention

28 Mar 2023
News
India can’t find a Sikh separatist leader, but its manhunt has got the world’s attention
Yashraj Sharma ↗
28 Mar 2023
India can’t find a Sikh separatist leader, but its manhunt has got the world’s attention
Weapons of control, shields of impunity: Internet shutdowns in 2022
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Podcast: India Has Been the Leading Country in Internet Shutdowns for 5 Years. That’s Alarming.

28 Mar 2023
News
Podcast: India Has Been the Leading Country in Internet Shutdowns for 5 Years. That’s Alarming.
Sidharth Bhatia ↗
28 Mar 2023
Podcast: India Has Been the Leading Country in Internet Shutdowns for 5 Years. That’s Alarming.
Earthquake Turkey
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

US report lists ‘significant human rights’ abuses in India

20 Mar 2023
News
US report lists ‘significant human rights’ abuses in India
Kanishka Singh ↗
20 Mar 2023
US report lists ‘significant human rights’ abuses in India
The #KeepItOn coalition calls on authorities in Iran to immediately reinstate full internet access across the country.
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Indian officials cut internet for 27 million people amid search for fugitive

20 Mar 2023
News
Indian officials cut internet for 27 million people amid search for fugitive
Gerry Shih, Karishma Mehrotra & Shams Irfan ↗
20 Mar 2023
Indian officials cut internet for 27 million people amid search for fugitive
Weapons of control, shields of impunity: Internet shutdowns in 2022
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

India cuts internet to 27 million as Punjab police hunt Sikh separatist

20 Mar 2023
News
India cuts internet to 27 million as Punjab police hunt Sikh separatist
Rhea Mogul ↗
20 Mar 2023
India cuts internet to 27 million as Punjab police hunt Sikh separatist
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Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Indian State Blocks Internet And Text Messaging For 27 Million Residents—Here’s Why

20 Mar 2023
News
Indian State Blocks Internet And Text Messaging For 27 Million Residents—Here’s Why
Siladitya Ray ↗
20 Mar 2023
Indian State Blocks Internet And Text Messaging For 27 Million Residents—Here’s Why
Weapons of control, shields of impunity: Internet shutdowns in 2022
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

Apagones de internet en América Latina y el Caribe: ataques a la libertad de expresión en Brasil y Cuba

20 Mar 2023

En 2022, las autoridades bloquearon el internet en 35 países al menos 187 veces. Cuba y Brasil lo hicieron al menos tres veces en total.

Press Release
Apagones de internet en América Latina y el Caribe: ataques a la libertad de expresión en Brasil y Cuba
20 Mar 2023
Apagones de internet en América Latina y el Caribe: ataques a la libertad de expresión en Brasil y Cuba
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

India: ‘Internet shutdown capital of the world’

16 Mar 2023
News
India: ‘Internet shutdown capital of the world’
Murali Krishnan ↗
16 Mar 2023
India: ‘Internet shutdown capital of the world’
Weapons of control, shields of impunity: Internet shutdowns in 2022
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Evading accountability through internet shutdowns: Trends in Africa and the Middle East

9 Mar 2023
Publication
Evading accountability through internet shutdowns: Trends in Africa and the Middle East
9 Mar 2023
Evading accountability through internet shutdowns: Trends in Africa and the Middle East
The #KeepItOn coalition calls on authorities in Iran to immediately reinstate full internet access across the country.
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn in Mauritania: authorities must restore internet connectivity

9 Mar 2023

Following reports of a nationwide block on mobile internet access in Mauritania, Access Now urges authorities to immediately reconnect the country. 

Press Release
#KeepItOn in Mauritania: authorities must restore internet connectivity
9 Mar 2023
#KeepItOn in Mauritania: authorities must restore internet connectivity
Earthquake Turkey
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

In Africa and the Middle East, internet shutdowns shroud human rights abuses

9 Mar 2023

Access Now’s new joint report examines how authorities in Africa and the Middle East weaponize internet shutdowns to obscure human rights abuses.

Press Release
In Africa and the Middle East, internet shutdowns shroud human rights abuses
9 Mar 2023
In Africa and the Middle East, internet shutdowns shroud human rights abuses
Sri Lanka crisis
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Connection Lost

8 Mar 2023
News
Connection Lost
8 Mar 2023
Connection Lost