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.

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
Internet Shutdowns

Internet shutdowns advance into 2023: #KeepItOn mid-year update

6 Jun 2023

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition have identified at least 80 internet shutdowns across 21 countries in 2023 so far.

Press Release
Internet shutdowns advance into 2023: #KeepItOn mid-year update
6 Jun 2023
Internet shutdowns advance into 2023: #KeepItOn mid-year update
Ethiopian government internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Who is shutting down the internet in 2023? A mid-year update

6 Jun 2023

Since the beginning of 2023, governments around the world are discovering new reasons to disrupt internet access during key national moments.

Publication
Who is shutting down the internet in 2023? A mid-year update
6 Jun 2023
Who is shutting down the internet in 2023? A mid-year update
#KeepItOn in Senegal
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Keep people connected in Senegal

2 Jun 2023

Access Now calls on the government of Senegal to immediately restore access to WhatsApp and Twitter, and keep people connected.

Press Release
Keep people connected in Senegal
2 Jun 2023
Keep people connected in Senegal
Access Now and partners call on the Indian government to review the current legal and regulatory framework governing internet shutdowns.
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Internet shutdown in Mauritania: stop the abuse, turn it on

31 May 2023

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

Press Release
Internet shutdown in Mauritania: stop the abuse, turn it on
31 May 2023
Internet shutdown in Mauritania: stop the abuse, turn it on
Digital Security
Digital Security

From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most

29 May 2023

People feel restrictions on digital rights most intensely in situations of crisis, conflict, or disaster. Here’s how we are safeguarding people’s digital rights in times of both war and peace.

Post
From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most
29 May 2023
From crisis to conflict, we must defend digital rights when people need them most
Ethiopian government internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Arrêtez de couper l’internet en Guinée : les autorités doivent garder internet accessible pendant les manifestations

24 May 2023

Access Now et la coalition #KeepItOn condamnent fermement les coupures d’internet et la censure des médias dans le pays.

Press Release
Arrêtez de couper l’internet en Guinée : les autorités doivent garder internet accessible pendant les manifestations
24 May 2023
Arrêtez de couper l’internet en Guinée : les autorités doivent garder internet accessible pendant les manifestations
NoExamShutdown-Campaign-Header-Arabic
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

رسالة مفتوحة: على رئيس الوزراء العراقي أن يلتزم في جلسة مجلس الوزراء المقبلة بوعده بعدم #قطع_الإنترنت، ووضع حدّ لعمليات حجب الإنترنت أثناء الامتحانات

23 May 2023

رسالة إلى رئيس الوزراء العراقي للمطالبة بعدم حجب الانترنت خلال امتحانات الشهر المقبل.

Press Release
رسالة مفتوحة: على رئيس الوزراء العراقي أن يلتزم في جلسة مجلس الوزراء المقبلة بوعده بعدم #قطع_الإنترنت، ووضع حدّ لعمليات حجب الإنترنت أثناء الامتحانات
23 May 2023
رسالة مفتوحة: على رئيس الوزراء العراقي أن يلتزم في جلسة مجلس الوزراء المقبلة بوعده بعدم #قطع_الإنترنت، ووضع حدّ لعمليات حجب الإنترنت أثناء الامتحانات
#NoExamShutdown
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Open Letter: The Prime Minister of Iraq must commit to #KeepItOn at the upcoming cabinet meeting, and put an end to internet shutdowns during exams

22 May 2023

Access Now and partners send a letter to the Iraqi Prime Minister to #KeepItOn during next month’s exams.

Press Release
Open Letter: The Prime Minister of Iraq must commit to #KeepItOn at the upcoming cabinet meeting, and put an end to internet shutdowns during exams
22 May 2023
Open Letter: The Prime Minister of Iraq must commit to #KeepItOn at the upcoming cabinet meeting, and put an end to internet shutdowns during exams
Ethiopian government internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Stop shutting down the internet in Guinea: authorities must #KeepItOn amidst protest

22 May 2023

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition strongly condemn the internet shutdowns and media censorship in the country.

Press Release
Stop shutting down the internet in Guinea: authorities must #KeepItOn amidst protest
22 May 2023
Stop shutting down the internet in Guinea: authorities must #KeepItOn amidst protest
Tech and conflict
Transparency
Transparency

Tech and conflict: a guide for responsible business conduct

18 May 2023

This guide is meant to help tech companies think through the impacts of their decisions in the context of conflict.

Guide
Tech and conflict: a guide for responsible business conduct
18 May 2023
Tech and conflict: a guide for responsible business conduct
Ethiopian government internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

When the internet goes dark

15 May 2023
News
When the internet goes dark
Samir Jeraj ↗
15 May 2023
When the internet goes dark
Ethiopian government internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Here’s Why Rights Groups Are Concerned About Pakistan’s Indefinite Internet Shutdown

12 May 2023
News
Here’s Why Rights Groups Are Concerned About Pakistan’s Indefinite Internet Shutdown
Vallari Sanzgiri ↗
12 May 2023
Here’s Why Rights Groups Are Concerned About Pakistan’s Indefinite Internet Shutdown
internet shutdown
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Internet and social media access must be restored in Pakistan to protect human rights

10 May 2023

The government of Pakistan must immediately restore — and protect — full access to the internet and social media.

Press Release
Internet and social media access must be restored in Pakistan to protect human rights
10 May 2023
Internet and social media access must be restored in Pakistan to protect human rights
Ethiopian government internet
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Internet shutdown in Manipur for 5 days after violence — here are 10 recent instances in India

4 May 2023
News
Internet shutdown in Manipur for 5 days after violence — here are 10 recent instances in India
4 May 2023
Internet shutdown in Manipur for 5 days after violence — here are 10 recent instances in India
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Expression

#لا_لقطع_الإنترنت_خلال_الامتحانات

3 May 2023
Campaign
#لا_لقطع_الإنترنت_خلال_الامتحانات
3 May 2023
#لا_لقطع_الإنترنت_خلال_الامتحانات
Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition's report unpacks internet shutdowns in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and globally.
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Internet shutdowns in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: attacks on human rights

27 Apr 2023

Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition’s report unpacks internet shutdowns in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and globally.

Press Release
Internet shutdowns in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: attacks on human rights
27 Apr 2023
Internet shutdowns in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: attacks on human rights