In an era where the internet is the lifeblood of global communication, commerce, and connectivity, the deliberate imposition of internet shutdowns by governments stands as one of the most blatant assaults on human rights and economic progress. As of 2025, the world has witnessed an unprecedented surge in these digital blackouts, with data revealing a staggering 283 confirmed internet shutdowns across 39 countries. This marks the highest number of incidents in a single year since comprehensive monitoring began in 2016, reflecting a 41% increase from the previous year’s 201 shutdowns. These disruptions, often justified under the guise of national security or public order, have affected billions, stifled dissent, and inflicted billions in economic losses. This article delves into the 2025 landscape of internet shutdowns, spotlighting the top offending nations, their motivations, and the profound implications for global society. Drawing from authoritative reports like the #KeepItOn coalition’s annual analysis, we explore how these shutdowns are not just technical failures but calculated tools of control in 2025.
The rise of internet shutdowns in 2025 is no anomaly; it’s a symptom of escalating geopolitical tensions, civil unrest, and authoritarian tendencies. According to Surfshark’s Internet Shutdown Tracker, Asia alone accounted for over 55% of new restrictions, impacting 1.9 billion people—nearly a quarter of the world’s population. Africa followed closely with 17 new cases affecting 330 million individuals. These figures underscore a troubling trend: shutdowns are spreading geographically, with four new perpetrators—Kenya, Mozambique, Nepal, and Suriname—joining the list in 2025, doubling the previous year’s additions. Moreover, 2025 saw a shift from localized blocks to widespread, multi-regional or nationwide outages, totaling 80 such events—the highest on record. This escalation has left millions in the dark, exacerbating humanitarian crises and economic vulnerabilities in an already fragile post-pandemic world.
The Top Offenders: A Breakdown of Internet Shutdowns by Country in 2025
At the forefront of this digital repression is India, which in 2025 imposed a world-record 116 internet shutdowns, maintaining its infamous lead for the sixth consecutive year. Myanmar followed with 37 incidents, Iran with 34, Palestine with 16, Ukraine with 8, Pakistan with 7, Iraq with 6, Azerbaijan with 5, and Ethiopia and Senegal each with 4. These top 10 countries alone accounted for over 70% of global shutdowns, highlighting a concentration of power abuses in regions plagued by conflict and political instability. Let’s examine these hotspots in detail, revealing the patterns and human costs unique to each.
India: The Unrivaled Champion of Shutdowns (116 Incidents)
India’s 116 shutdowns in 2025 affected approximately 59 million people for a cumulative 8,000 hours—the longest and most extensive globally, per Top10VPN’s 2025 analysis. Predominantly clustered in Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan, these blackouts were deployed preemptively during protests, exams, and ethnic tensions, particularly in Manipur state where communal violence prompted 65 targeted restrictions. In 2025, 13 states and union territories enforced these measures, with seven disrupting services five or more times. Shutdowns lasting over five days surged to 41% of total incidents, up from 15% the prior year. Critics, including the Keep It On coalition, argue this “near-default response to crises” violates constitutional rights, isolating communities during critical moments like elections and emergencies. Economically, India’s blackouts cost an estimated $1.5 billion in lost productivity, underscoring the self-inflicted harm in a nation aspiring to digital leadership.
Myanmar: A Military Junta’s Grip Tightens (37 Shutdowns)
Myanmar’s 37 shutdowns in 2025 were among the most prolonged, totaling 18,768 hours and impacting 23.7 million users, with an economic toll of $974 million. Since the 2021 coup, the military junta has weaponized internet controls to suppress pro-democracy movements and ethnic insurgencies. In 2025, blocks targeted social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in conflict zones. Access Now reported that these outages coincided with violent crackdowns, leaving civilians unable to report atrocities or access aid. As a new offender in broader platform blocks, Myanmar’s actions in 2025 signal a deepening entrenchment of digital authoritarianism, drawing international condemnation from the UN and human rights groups.
Iran: Silencing Protests Amid Unrest (34 Shutdowns)
With 34 shutdowns, Iran ranked third in 2025, all 29 of which Surfshark linked directly to anti-government protests—a 100% correlation. These restrictions, affecting over 80 million people, included nationwide mobile data blackouts during the 2025 Mahsa Amini anniversary commemorations. The regime’s strategy involved throttling speeds and blocking VPNs, costing the economy $500 million in disrupted e-commerce and remote work. In 2025, Iran also surged in platform blocks, targeting Signal and X (formerly Twitter) to curb dissent. Human Rights Watch documented how these shutdowns isolated families during crackdowns, amplifying fears of mass arrests and disappearances.
Palestine: Conflict’s Digital Frontline (16 Shutdowns)
Palestine endured 16 shutdowns in 2025, primarily imposed by Israeli authorities amid escalating Gaza conflicts. These outages, lasting up to weeks, severed communications for 2 million residents, hindering aid coordination and journalism. The Internet Society’s Pulse tracker noted that 74% of these were tied to armed violence, a global high. Economically minor but humanely devastating, they prevented families from connecting with diaspora relatives. In 2025, Palestine’s plight highlighted how shutdowns in war zones violate international humanitarian law, as per Amnesty International’s reports.
Ukraine: Wartime Disruptions (8 Shutdowns)
Ukraine’s 8 shutdowns in 2025 were largely self-imposed or Russian-orchestrated during the ongoing invasion, affecting 40 million users. These included temporary blocks in occupied territories to counter misinformation and cyberattacks. While shorter than others, they disrupted critical infrastructure like banking and telemedicine, costing $200 million. The 2025 #KeepItOn report praised Ukraine’s resilience through satellite alternatives like Starlink but warned of long-term digital divides.
Pakistan: Electoral and Exam Controls (7 Shutdowns)
Pakistan’s 7 shutdowns, a record high, included a four-day nationwide blackout in May 2025 during elections, costing $17 million in GDP per the Internet Society. Focused on preventing exam cheating and protest coordination, these affected 220 million people. In 2025, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw the most incidents, fueling accusations of electoral manipulation.
Iraq: Exam Season Blackouts (6 Shutdowns)
Iraq imposed 6 national shutdowns in 2025, all during high school exams to curb cheating, per NetBlocks. These two-hour morning blocks impacted 43 million, but cumulatively disrupted education for millions. The Kurdistan Regional Government added regional ones, totaling 45 in the Middle East’s exam hotspot.
Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, and Senegal: Emerging Hotspots (5, 4, and 4 Shutdowns)
Azerthan’s 5 were tied to Nagorno-Karabakh tensions, Ethiopia’s 4 to Tigray conflicts (the longest ongoing at over two years), and Senegal’s 4 to election protests. Ethiopia’s outages, the costliest at $1 billion, isolated 120 million. These cases in 2025 illustrate shutdowns’ spread to stable democracies.
The Motivations Behind the Blackouts: From Protests to Conflict
In 2025, 173 shutdowns—over 60%—linked to violence, a 26% rise, per Access Now. Protests drove 65 in India alone, while armed conflicts in Palestine, Myanmar, Sudan, and Ukraine accounted for 74. Exams prompted Iraq’s serial blocks, and elections fueled Pakistan’s. Platform blocks surged to 71 in 35 countries, targeting X (24 blocks) and Signal (10), often against LGBTQ+ communities. Democracies like the U.S. flirted with bans, eroding free expression norms.
Economic and Social Ramifications: Billions Lost, Rights Eroded
The global cost of 2025 shutdowns hit $9.13 billion, led by Russia’s $4.02 billion (not in top 10 but notable for duration). Myanmar and Ethiopia followed at $974 million and $1 billion. Socially, shutdowns stifled journalism, aid, and education, exacerbating inequalities. In 2025, 4.24 billion faced restrictions, per Surfshark, hindering growth in developing nations.
International Efforts and Hopes for 2025 and Beyond
Despite the gloom, 2025 saw progress: DRC, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone committed to connectivity during elections via #KeepItOn. Advocacy from Access Now and the UN pressured offenders, with calls for UN resolutions banning shutdowns. As we reflect in late 2025, the fight continues—tech like mesh networks offers hope.
Conclusion: Reclaiming the Digital Commons
2025’s 283 internet shutdowns across 39 countries, led by India’s 116 and Myanmar’s 37, paint a dystopian picture of digital control. From Iran’s protest quells to Palestine’s war-time isolations, these acts cost $9 billion and countless rights. Yet, global solidarity signals change. In 2025 and beyond, demanding #KeepItOn isn’t optional—it’s essential for a connected, free world.
