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Global internet shutdowns surge in 2024 amid rising conflicts: NGO report
Governments across the globe imposed an unprecedented number of internet shutdowns in 2024, as detailed in a new report on "digital violence." According to the report by Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition, 296 shutdowns were documented in 54 countries last year, surpassing the 283 shutdowns in 39 countries recorded in 2023.
Conflict remained the primary driver of these shutdowns, marking the second consecutive year that political unrest led to widespread internet blackouts. Tactics used to enforce these shutdowns ranged from jamming signals to severing cables and destroying vital infrastructure.
Myanmar topped the list of offenders with 85 shutdowns, most of which were imposed by the military government to suppress opposition four years after its coup. Russia, Israel, Thailand, and China were also notable for executing cross-border shutdowns, disrupting internet access in Ukraine, Gaza, and Myanmar. India fell to second place with 84 shutdowns, while Pakistan reported its highest-ever total with 21 shutdowns.
In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), 41 shutdowns were reported across 17 countries, down from 77 in 2023. However, the number of affected countries rose. In Israel, internet shutdowns were part of the broader military efforts during the war on Gaza, which involved targeted destruction of telecommunication networks. Sudan also faced widespread disruptions due to the ongoing civil war, as both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces weaponized shutdowns to stifle communication. Meanwhile, cyberattacks from the Anonymous Sudan group disrupted internet services in several countries.
The MENA region also continued its global lead in shutdowns related to exam periods, with 10 disruptions in countries like Algeria, Iraq, and Syria, aimed at preventing cheating despite protests from civil society.
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