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.

Ethiopian government internet

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 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

#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

digital ceasefire gaza
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

العدوان الإسرائيلي الرقمي على غزة والفلسطينيين

3 Dec 2023
News
العدوان الإسرائيلي الرقمي على غزة والفلسطينيين
AlAraby ↗
3 Dec 2023
العدوان الإسرائيلي الرقمي على غزة والفلسطينيين
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

فلسطين خارج التغطية: كيف تقطع إسرائيل الإنترنت عن غزة

24 Nov 2023

يقدّم هذا التقرير دراسة لحالة الإنترنت في قطاع غزة طوال شهر أكتوبر 2023 من خلال تحليلٍ حركة الإنترنت حسب مزوّدي خدمات الإنترنت في مختلف مواقع القطاع.

Publication
فلسطين خارج التغطية: كيف تقطع إسرائيل الإنترنت عن غزة
24 Nov 2023
فلسطين خارج التغطية: كيف تقطع إسرائيل الإنترنت عن غزة
human impact of internet shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn in conflict: the human impact of internet shutdowns in Amhara region, Ethiopia

22 Nov 2023

This 11 stories from Ethiopian people tells the human impact of internet shutdowns in the Amhara region of Ethiopia in the past 100+ days.

Post
#KeepItOn in conflict: the human impact of internet shutdowns in Amhara region, Ethiopia
22 Nov 2023
#KeepItOn in conflict: the human impact of internet shutdowns in Amhara region, Ethiopia
Zimbabwe elections 2023, internet shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Telegram in Kenya: keep people connected during national exams

20 Nov 2023

People in Kenya have the right to access information and communicate freely online — including through messaging applications like Telegram.

Press Release
Telegram in Kenya: keep people connected during national exams
20 Nov 2023
Telegram in Kenya: keep people connected during national exams
Urgent call: ceasefire in Gaza, "digital ceasefire" for Palestinians globally!
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Paltel Group’s response to Access Now and Human Rights Watch’s letter

15 Nov 2023

Access Now and the MENA Alliance for Digital Rights call for immediate restoration of telecoms and internet connectivity in the Gaza Strip.

Press Release
Paltel Group’s response to Access Now and Human Rights Watch’s letter
15 Nov 2023
Paltel Group’s response to Access Now and Human Rights Watch’s letter
Urgent call: ceasefire in Gaza, "digital ceasefire" for Palestinians globally!
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Letter to Paltel: internet and telecommunications shutdowns and disruptions in Gaza

15 Nov 2023

Human Rights Watch and Access Now wrote to Paltel Group in regards to the ongoing disruption of internet and telecommunications services in the Gaza Strip.

Press Release
Letter to Paltel: internet and telecommunications shutdowns and disruptions in Gaza
15 Nov 2023
Letter to Paltel: internet and telecommunications shutdowns and disruptions in Gaza
Telecommunications blackout in the Gaza Strip is an attack on human rights
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Depleting fuel and infrastructure damage: Gaza’s internet lifeline must be saved

15 Nov 2023

“With an impending internet blackout in Gaza, Access Now and Human Rights Watch received a response from Paltell Group emphasizing Israeli attacks on infrastructure as key blackout contributors and citing challenges in making repairs without a ceasefire.

Press Release
Depleting fuel and infrastructure damage: Gaza’s internet lifeline must be saved
15 Nov 2023
Depleting fuel and infrastructure damage: Gaza’s internet lifeline must be saved
Restore Telecoms and Internet Connectivity in Gaza Now!
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Israel unplugged Gaza: Human rights watchdog says “Internet shutdowns are fatal”

15 Nov 2023
News
Israel unplugged Gaza: Human rights watchdog says “Internet shutdowns are fatal”
Cybernews ↗
15 Nov 2023
Israel unplugged Gaza: Human rights watchdog says “Internet shutdowns are fatal”
digital ceasefire gaza
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

How Israel is shutting down the internet in Gaza

10 Nov 2023
Press Release
How Israel is shutting down the internet in Gaza
10 Nov 2023
How Israel is shutting down the internet in Gaza
Palestine Israel Digital Ceasefire; Gaza’s internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Palestine unplugged: how Israel disrupts Gaza’s internet

10 Nov 2023

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

Publication
Palestine unplugged: how Israel disrupts Gaza’s internet
10 Nov 2023
Palestine unplugged: how Israel disrupts Gaza’s internet
Restore Telecoms and Internet Connectivity in Gaza Now!
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Internet blackouts in Gaza are a new weapon in the Israel-Hamas war

7 Nov 2023
News
Internet blackouts in Gaza are a new weapon in the Israel-Hamas war
WIRED ↗
7 Nov 2023
Internet blackouts in Gaza are a new weapon in the Israel-Hamas war
Restore Telecoms and Internet Connectivity in Gaza Now!
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Gaza suffers another communications blackout amid Israeli bombardment

1 Nov 2023
News
Gaza suffers another communications blackout amid Israeli bombardment
Al Jazeera ↗
1 Nov 2023
Gaza suffers another communications blackout amid Israeli bombardment
Restore Telecoms and Internet Connectivity in Gaza Now!
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Gaza’s last link is gone: civil society urges immediate reversal of total communications blackout now shrouding human rights harms

27 Oct 2023

Access Now and the MENA Alliance for Digital Rights call for immediate restoration of telecoms and internet connectivity in the Gaza Strip.

Press Release
Gaza’s last link is gone: civil society urges immediate reversal of total communications blackout now shrouding human rights harms
27 Oct 2023
Gaza’s last link is gone: civil society urges immediate reversal of total communications blackout now shrouding human rights harms
Restore Telecoms and Internet Connectivity in Gaza Now!
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

The destruction of Gaza’s internet is complete

27 Oct 2023
News
The destruction of Gaza’s internet is complete
WIRED ↗
27 Oct 2023
The destruction of Gaza’s internet is complete
How to stay safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza
Digital Security
Digital Security

Cómo protegerse en línea en el contexto del conflicto en Gaza  

26 Oct 2023

La presente guía de consejos sobre resiliencia digital elaborada por Access Now y SMEX fue diseñada para brindarles apoyo contra las amenazas denunciadas.

Guide
Cómo protegerse en línea en el contexto del conflicto en Gaza  
26 Oct 2023
Cómo protegerse en línea en el contexto del conflicto en Gaza  
How to stay safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza
Digital Security
Digital Security

Staying safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza  

24 Oct 2023

This digital resilience tipsheet compiled by Access Now and SMEX is designed to support you in defending against reported threats.

Guide
Staying safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza  
24 Oct 2023
Staying safe online in the context of conflict in Gaza