Internet shutdown tracker
Undemocratic governments around the world are increasingly turning to internet blackouts and social media censorship to maintain their rule. They use it to prevent the dissemination of information and to impede organizational efforts.
5,698,341,933
Total users deprived of internet access to date
76
Total countries that have blocked access to date
Where has the internet been restricted?
Continental statistics
We have sorted the internet and social media blocks by continent for easier viewing
Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
South America
Oceania
Africa has been one of the the most affected by internet censorship by the proportion of the population. 8 out of 10 Africans have felt internet and social media shutdowns.
Cases of blocking: 90
Out of which due to:
40
Protests
24
Elections
26
Political turmoil
0
Internet law
No. of countries
% of the continent
No evidence
20
37%
Blocked internet services in the past
34
63%
Currently blocking social media or VoIP
2
3.7%
Blocked social media or VoIP in the past
25
46.3%
Internet connection disrupted in the past
25
46.3%
Affected people
1,027,703,174
76.8%
Find a country profile
Search for a country to find out whether it has faced internet shutdowns
Continental ranking based on blockings: 8th
Cases of blocking : 4
Out of which due to:
1
Protests
N/A
Elections
3
Political turmoil
N/A
Internet law
Blocked social media platforms
2009, July
2009, July
Youtube
2009, July
2016, September
Telegram
2016, July
2017, September
Insights
More than 2/3 of all Asian countries have had limited access to the internet in the past for reasons ranging from total Western social media shutdowns to blocking YouTube because of leaked sexual footage involving local politicians.
African countries block access to social media the most (34 countries), especially amid political turmoil or elections. 1/3 of African countries have restricted access to internet services because of elections.
While South America doesn’t have many recorded cases of internet restrictions, Venezuela has blocked social media at least 18 times in 2019, every time acting president Juan Guaido was airing a speech online.
India remains the largest internet shutdown offender, with some of its internet blockages lasting for months in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
Recent news
Somalia
August 11, 2022
Multiple providers in Somaliland experienced major internet disruptions on Thursday, August 11, 2022. The incident happened just before planned protests over the postponement of elections.
Source
Sierra Leone
August 10, 2022
The internet was disrupted on multiple providers nationwide in Sierra Leone. National connectivity was observed at just 5% of ordinary levels for two hours. The incident came amid protests in the capital city Freetown and other areas.
Source
Sudan
June 30, 2022
Internet service disruption was recorded on multiple mobile and fixed-line internet providers across Sudan amid protests against the military junta.
Source
India
June 17, 2022
A significant disruption to fixed-line and mobile internet connectivity on multiple providers occurred in Bihar, eastern India, on June 17, 2022. The incident is ongoing at the time of writing and comes as the government imposes telecommunications restrictions to counter protests over a new military recruitment plan.
Source