Network connection disruptions

Governments may disrupt their country’s network connection on a local or national scale. Local network connection disruptions involve a single town, city or region, while national disruptions happen across the entire country. This section of the tracker does not include data on social media/messaging app restrictions.

Where have network connection disruptions occurred?

The map below shows which countries/territories have been affected by network connection disruptions since 2015.

China

There is no evidence of internet disruptions in means of censorship.

3,227,166,836

Users deprived of internet access

Countries that have disrupted access to internet

58 out of 196 analyzed countries and territories have experienced network connection disruptions at least once since 2015, affecting slightly less than 50% of the global population.

Since 2015, 40 governments have disrupted their country’s network connection nationally, while 20 governments have imposed local network connection disruptions. (2 of these 51 countries have imposed both local and national network connection disruptions).

What sets off network connection disruptions?

The Internet Shutdown Tracker records cases of politically-motivated network connection disruptions and distinguishes the cause for each case. Below, local and national network connection disruptions have been broken down by cause.

Local shutdowns

Due to protests

202

Due to elections

Due to political turmoil

321

Due to internet law

Nationwide shutdowns

Due to protests

Due to elections

Africa

Asia

Europe

North America

South America

Oceania

Since 2020, at least 44 governments have imposed network connection disruptions. On average, 14 countries do so each year.

So far, 1 country has imposed network connection disruptions in 2025. Last year (2024), there were a total of 14 governments that imposed disruptions.