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

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’
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
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

India, world’s largest democracy, leads global list of internet shutdowns

2 Mar 2023
News
India, world’s largest democracy, leads global list of internet shutdowns
Rhea Mogul ↗
2 Mar 2023
India, world’s largest democracy, leads global list of internet shutdowns
Photo by: Lars Kienle on Unsplash
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Brasil entra na lista de países que bloqueiam a internet

2 Mar 2023
News
Brasil entra na lista de países que bloqueiam a internet
2 Mar 2023
Brasil entra na lista de países que bloqueiam a internet
Earthquake Turkey
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Meloni in India, un posto al tavolo nell’Indo-pacifico in stile Usa

2 Mar 2023
News
Meloni in India, un posto al tavolo nell’Indo-pacifico in stile Usa
Lorenzo Lamperti ↗
2 Mar 2023
Meloni in India, un posto al tavolo nell’Indo-pacifico in stile Usa
#KeepItOn 2022 Report: Weapons of control, shields of impunity - internet shutdowns in 2022
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

India leads world in cutting internet access for 5th year in a row, watchdog says

1 Mar 2023
News
India leads world in cutting internet access for 5th year in a row, watchdog says
Kanishka Singh ↗
1 Mar 2023
India leads world in cutting internet access for 5th year in a row, watchdog says
#KeepItOn 2023 election watch
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

India shut off the internet more often than any country—for the fifth year in a row

1 Mar 2023
News
India shut off the internet more often than any country—for the fifth year in a row
Mimansa Verma ↗
1 Mar 2023
India shut off the internet more often than any country—for the fifth year in a row
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Record number of countries enforced internet shutdowns in 2022 – report

28 Feb 2023
News
Record number of countries enforced internet shutdowns in 2022 – report
Fred Harter ↗
28 Feb 2023
Record number of countries enforced internet shutdowns in 2022 – report
#KeepItOn 2022 Report: Weapons of control, shields of impunity - internet shutdowns in 2022
Internet Shutdowns
Internet Shutdowns

Governments shut down the internet more often than ever, report says

28 Feb 2023
News
Governments shut down the internet more often than ever, report says
Niha Masih ↗
28 Feb 2023
Governments shut down the internet more often than ever, report says