Internet shutdowns are increasing worldwide — and so are the risks to human rights

What is an internet shutdown?

An internet shutdown is an intentional disruption of the internet or electronic communication, making them inaccessible or unusable for a specific population or location, often to control the flow of information.

That disruption can take several forms, and each one creates a different kind of barrier:

• Full network shutdowns. Entire regions lose internet access.
• Throttling. Bandwidth throttling slows down the connections to the point where services stop working.
• Platform blocking. Specific apps or websites become unavailable.

Shutdowns can last hours or days or stretch into months. Some are localized to a city, while others affect entire countries.

Why shutdowns are treated as human rights violations

Cutting off internet access affects far more than communication. Access Now describes internet shutdowns as direct attacks on human rights because they interfere with everyday systems people rely on.

Internet access supports our daily lives. So when a shutdown starts, the following happens:

• The flow of information breaks down. Journalists lose access to sources, publishing platforms, and verification tools. News slows down or stops entirely.
• Freedom of expression is restricted. People can’t share updates, organize, or respond publicly to events happening around them.
• Real-time documentation is unavailable. Photos, videos, and first-hand accounts, which are often critical during protests or conflict, never reach the outside world.
• Daily services are disrupted. Services in critical sectors, like banking apps, online payments, medical systems, and logistics platforms, all depend on an internet connection and are inaccessible during a shutdown.
• Education and work are interrupted. Students lose access to remote learning. Workers lose access to tools, communication channels, and clients.

In conflict or crisis situations, the stakes are even higher. Shutdowns can block access to life-saving information, like evacuation routes, emergency alerts, and humanitarian aid coordination.

What the data shows: Shutdowns are becoming more frequent and more targeted

The 2025 data recorded by Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition shows a  shift in how authorities restrict internet access. Shutdowns happen more often, affect more places, and take more targeted forms:

• 313 shutdowns across 52 countries. People across dozens of countries lost access at least once during the year. This number is likely higher because some shutdowns never get reported or confirmed.
• 94 platform blocks in 40 countries. Authorities often block specific apps instead of cutting off the entire internet. They target platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, and Instagram. When these apps stop working, people lose their main way to communicate and share information, even if the rest of the internet still loads.
• 125 shutdowns during conflict, 64 during protests, and 12 during elections. Shutdowns follow high-pressure situations. Authorities restrict access when people need information the most, which limits reporting, coordination, and public response.
• 14 disruptions of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet across seven countries. LEO satellite internet connects users through satellites instead of local networks. People often rely on it when traditional internet access fails. When authorities block it, they remove one of the last ways to stay connected.
• 18 cross-border shutdowns affecting multiple countries. Some shutdowns now extend beyond national borders. These disruptions affect people in more than one country at the same time, which increases their reach and impact.
• The highest number of shutdowns was recorded in countries like Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Russia, and Iran. People in these countries report repeated disruptions. In some regions, shutdowns happen often enough to create ongoing instability.

Learn more about internet shutdowns and the work to stop them. Visit the #KeepItOn page and explore the full report.

How shutdowns affect journalists, activists, and nonprofits

If your work depends on communication, access to information, or public trust, shutdowns directly affect you:

• You lose contact with sources and partners.
• You can’t verify or publish information in real time.
• Your tools, platforms, and workflows stop functioning.
• You can’t coordinate teams or organize responses.
• You face higher safety risks without reliable communication.
• Your work loses visibility beyond local audiences.

Often, these disruptions happen with little warning. That’s why awareness and preparation matter.

The role of the #KeepItOn coalition

Access Now launched the #KeepItOn campaign to push back against internet shutdowns worldwide. Today, the coalition includes hundreds of organizations across civil society, the media, and international institutions working together to:

• Monitor and document shutdowns worldwide.
• Support people affected by disruptions.
• Provide digital security assistance.
• Advocate for policy changes and accountability. 

The coalition also works with governments, international bodies, and private sector partners to challenge shutdown practices and promote access to information.

To track shutdowns, Access Now and its partners maintain the STOP dataset. The team collects evidence from network measurements, news reports, government statements, and first-hand accounts. They verify each case and record details such as location, duration, and cause. This record helps researchers, journalists, and organizations understand patterns and push for accountability.

Preparing for internet disruptions

You can’t assume the internet will always be there. Shutdowns now affect different regions, events, and networks. For journalists, activists, and nonprofits, planning for disruption should be part of the work.

Plan how your team will communicate if common apps stop working. Keep backup tools ready and make sure everyone knows how to use them. Download key documents and contacts in advance so you can access them offline. Set clear check-in routines so your team can confirm safety and status during outages.