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.

#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 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

human impact of internet shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

The Sudan conflict: how internet shutdowns deepen a humanitarian crisis

21 Mar 2024

These stories from the Sudan conflict show the human impact of the internet shutdowns that plunged the country into darkness last month.

Post
The Sudan conflict: how internet shutdowns deepen a humanitarian crisis
21 Mar 2024
The Sudan conflict: how internet shutdowns deepen a humanitarian crisis
Russia #KeepItOn elections
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Ligne de vie de la démocratie: Le Sénégal doit maintenir l’accès à l’internet pendant l’élection présidentielle

19 Mar 2024
Press Release
Ligne de vie de la démocratie: Le Sénégal doit maintenir l’accès à l’internet pendant l’élection présidentielle
19 Mar 2024
Ligne de vie de la démocratie: Le Sénégal doit maintenir l’accès à l’internet pendant l’élection présidentielle
Russia #KeepItOn elections
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn : Le gouvernement du Sénégal doit garantir un accès Internet ouvert et sécurisé tout au long de l’élection présidentielle de 2024

19 Mar 2024

Les nations à travers l’Afrique, et le monde, doivent assurer aux personnes un accès ouvert, sécurisé et gratuit à l’Internet quand ils en ont le plus besoin.

Press Release
#KeepItOn : Le gouvernement du Sénégal doit garantir un accès Internet ouvert et sécurisé tout au long de l’élection présidentielle de 2024
19 Mar 2024
#KeepItOn : Le gouvernement du Sénégal doit garantir un accès Internet ouvert et sécurisé tout au long de l’élection présidentielle de 2024
Russia #KeepItOn elections
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Democracy’s lifeline: Senegal must uphold internet access this election

19 Mar 2024

Authorities in Senegal must commit to ensuring access to the internet throughout the election period.

Press Release
Democracy’s lifeline: Senegal must uphold internet access this election
19 Mar 2024
Democracy’s lifeline: Senegal must uphold internet access this election
Russia #KeepItOn elections
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: government of Senegal must ensure open and secure internet access throughout the 2024 presidential elections

19 Mar 2024

The government of Senegal must ensure people can access open and secure internet when they need it the most and #KeepItOn.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: government of Senegal must ensure open and secure internet access throughout the 2024 presidential elections
19 Mar 2024
#KeepItOn: government of Senegal must ensure open and secure internet access throughout the 2024 presidential elections
Restore access to X in Pakistan
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Civil society statement on continued network shutdowns and platform blocking in Pakistan

14 Mar 2024

We call for immediate action to reverse the course of digital censorship in Pakistan and unblock X.

Press Release
Civil society statement on continued network shutdowns and platform blocking in Pakistan
14 Mar 2024
Civil society statement on continued network shutdowns and platform blocking in Pakistan
Russia Internet access
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Russia’s elections: internet access is fundamental

14 Mar 2024

To uphold a semblance of democracy on and after polling day, Russian authorities must ensure open and secure internet access across Russia.

Press Release
Russia’s elections: internet access is fundamental
14 Mar 2024
Russia’s elections: internet access is fundamental
Russia #KeepItOn elections
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: Russian authorities and ISPs must safeguard free, open, and secure internet access during upcoming presidential elections

14 Mar 2024

During important national events, people need open, free, and secure internet access. Russia must #KeepItOn.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: Russian authorities and ISPs must safeguard free, open, and secure internet access during upcoming presidential elections
14 Mar 2024
#KeepItOn: Russian authorities and ISPs must safeguard free, open, and secure internet access during upcoming presidential elections
#StopSilencingPalestine
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Palestinians struggle to connect and get news amid digital shutdowns in Gaza: “without the internet everything stops”

6 Mar 2024
News
Palestinians struggle to connect and get news amid digital shutdowns in Gaza: “without the internet everything stops”
Reuters ↗
6 Mar 2024
Palestinians struggle to connect and get news amid digital shutdowns in Gaza: “without the internet everything stops”
Russia Internet access
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Internet shutdowns: are we likely to see more in 2024?

5 Mar 2024
News
Internet shutdowns: are we likely to see more in 2024?
Reuters ↗
5 Mar 2024
Internet shutdowns: are we likely to see more in 2024?
Russia Internet access
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Silenced voices: the X and VPN ban after Pakistan’s elections

26 Feb 2024
News
Silenced voices: the X and VPN ban after Pakistan’s elections
Global Voices ↗
26 Feb 2024
Silenced voices: the X and VPN ban after Pakistan’s elections
Russia #KeepItOn elections
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Rising internet shutdowns in India spark fears of authoritarianism before election

23 Feb 2024
News
Rising internet shutdowns in India spark fears of authoritarianism before election
South China Morning Post ↗
23 Feb 2024
Rising internet shutdowns in India spark fears of authoritarianism before election
EU Ukraine
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

What they did in the shadows: Internet shutdowns and atrocities in Ukraine

22 Feb 2024

Approaching two years since the full-scale invasion, we document the atrocities in Ukraine and the inflicted suffering on its people.

Post
What they did in the shadows: Internet shutdowns and atrocities in Ukraine
22 Feb 2024
What they did in the shadows: Internet shutdowns and atrocities in Ukraine
Belarus must keep it on!
Connectivity
Connectivity

A1 Telekom Austria Group: ensure people’s access to open and secure internet during Belarusian elections

21 Feb 2024
Press Release
A1 Telekom Austria Group: ensure people’s access to open and secure internet during Belarusian elections
21 Feb 2024
A1 Telekom Austria Group: ensure people’s access to open and secure internet during Belarusian elections
Russia Internet access
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

#KeepItOn: A1 Telekom Austria Group must resist internet shutdowns and share shutdown requests 

21 Feb 2024

The #KeepItOn coalition urges A1 Telekom to publicly support free, open, and secure internet access for the people of Belarus throughout the elections.

Press Release
#KeepItOn: A1 Telekom Austria Group must resist internet shutdowns and share shutdown requests 
21 Feb 2024
#KeepItOn: A1 Telekom Austria Group must resist internet shutdowns and share shutdown requests 
Russia Internet access
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Sudan’s communication blackout ends as Sudani network restored

12 Feb 2024
News
Sudan’s communication blackout ends as Sudani network restored
The New Arab ↗
12 Feb 2024
Sudan’s communication blackout ends as Sudani network restored