In 2024, the world saw a record-breaking surge in government-imposed internet shutdowns, with at least 296 cases across 54 countries, according to a new report by digital rights watchdog Access Now.
These internet blackouts were particularly common during public protests, elections, and conflicts, raising serious concerns about digital rights, democracy, and freedom of expression.
The Growing Trend of Internet Censorship
Access Now’s report highlights a disturbing trend—authorities are increasingly using internet shutdowns to suppress dissent, control information flow, and conceal human rights abuses.
“Authorities and warring parties wielded an unprecedented number of internet shutdowns as a weapon of war and a tool for collective punishment—hurling communities into digital darkness and concealing grave human rights abuses,” said Felicia Anthonio, manager of the #KeepItOn campaign.
The Worst Offenders: India, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Russia
For the first time since 2018, Myanmar surpassed India as the worst offender, imposing 85 shutdowns, one more than India.
Four countries—India, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Russia—accounted for over 70% of global internet blackouts. Most of these shutdowns were aimed at curbing protests, suppressing opposition voices, or controlling wartime narratives.
Kenya’s Internet Shutdowns and Their Economic Toll
Kenya also experienced government-enforced internet restrictions, with the most notable case occurring on June 25, 2024. During nationwide protests against the Finance Bill 2024, Kenyans faced widespread connectivity disruptions for nearly seven hours.
This blackout, aimed at thwarting protest mobilization, resulted in an estimated economic loss of $4 million.
In November 2024, the government restricted access to Telegram for 21 days during national secondary school exams, citing concerns over exam cheating. However, critics labeled this as a dangerous precedent for digital censorship.
The Economic Impact
According to industry experts, the total economic loss from Kenya’s internet shutdowns in 2024 was approximately $75 million. These disruptions not only crippled businesses and banking services but also limited emergency communication and access to critical information.
The Cost of Digital Darkness
The economic and social consequences of internet shutdowns are devastating, particularly in digital economies reliant on e-commerce, fintech, and online services.
Access Now’s report highlights that:
- 103 internet shutdowns in 11 countries were directly linked to ongoing wars, particularly in Ethiopia, Sudan, Ukraine, and Palestine.
- Governments increasingly use internet blackouts to control narratives during protests and elections.
Calls for Greater Accountability and Digital Rights Protection
Digital rights activists are calling for stronger policies to prevent future internet shutdowns, emphasizing that access to the internet is now a fundamental human right.
“Online shutdowns are an increasingly potent tool of repression,” said Anthonio. “We are seeing a worrying trend of digital censorship, making the need for stronger internet freedom protections more urgent than ever.”
As governments worldwide grapple with the role of digital platforms in governance, the global community is pushing for stronger accountability against digital censorship. With the socioeconomic costs of internet shutdowns rising, there is an urgent need for clearer regulations and legal protections to uphold digital freedoms.
