In 2025, internet shutdowns remain a pressing global issue, with governments across the world employing this tactic to control information, suppress dissent, and manage crises. According to data from Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition, 2023 saw a record-breaking 283 internet shutdowns across 39 countries, with India leading the list for the sixth consecutive year. This article delves into the global landscape of internet shutdowns in 2025, focusing on the top 10 countries with the highest number of incidents in 2023—India (116), Myanmar (37), Iran (34), Palestine (16), Ukraine (8), Pakistan (7), Iraq (6), Azerbaijan (5), Ethiopia (4), and Senegal (4)—and explores the implications, causes, and trends that continue to shape this phenomenon in 2025.
The Scale of Internet Shutdowns in 2025
The year 2023 marked the highest number of internet shutdowns ever recorded, with a 41% increase from 2022’s 201 shutdowns across 40 countries. By 2025, this trend shows no signs of slowing, as governments increasingly rely on internet blackouts to address conflicts, protests, and other triggers. The data from 2023 provides a critical lens for understanding the state of digital rights in 2025, highlighting how shutdowns undermine democracy, economic stability, and human rights. The top 10 countries accounted for the majority of these incidents, with India alone responsible for 41% of the global total.
India: The Global Leader in Internet Shutdowns
India recorded 116 internet shutdowns in 2023, maintaining its position as the world’s top enforcer of internet blackouts for the sixth year running. In 2025, this trend persists, with India’s authorities citing reasons such as communal tensions, violence, and even academic exams to justify these measures. Notably, 47 of these shutdowns occurred in Manipur, where ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo tribes led to a 212-day statewide shutdown, affecting 3.2 million people. This prolonged blackout made it challenging to document atrocities, including murder, rape, and arson, particularly impacting women.
In 2025, India’s reliance on regional shutdowns has grown, with 64 orders affecting multiple districts, compared to more localized measures in previous years. The economic impact is staggering—shutdowns reportedly cost India $1.9 billion and $118 million in foreign investment losses in the first half of 2023 alone. Moreover, a single-day shutdown can push up to 379 people into unemployment, according to the Internet Society’s NetLoss Calculator. As 2025 progresses, India’s inconsistent publication of shutdown orders, despite Supreme Court guidelines, continues to draw criticism from digital rights advocates.
Myanmar: A Crisis Underreported
Myanmar ranked second with 37 documented internet shutdowns in 2023, though reports suggest this figure is likely a fraction of the actual number, potentially reaching hundreds due to the military coup in 2021. In 2025, Myanmar remains a hotspot for internet restrictions, as the military junta uses blackouts to suppress dissent and control information flow. These shutdowns exacerbate the humanitarian crisis, hindering access to critical information and emergency services. The underreporting of incidents in 2025 reflects ongoing challenges in monitoring due to restricted access and lack of transparency, making Myanmar a critical case study for global digital rights.
Iran: Shutdowns Amid Protests
Iran recorded 34 internet shutdowns in 2023, a figure that underscores its use of connectivity restrictions to quell protests and civil unrest. In 2025, Iran’s government continues to employ this tactic, particularly in response to political dissent and social movements. These shutdowns often target mobile networks, which are critical for communication in a country with high smartphone penetration. The impact on freedom of expression and access to information remains profound, with 2025 seeing continued international scrutiny of Iran’s digital policies.
Palestine and Ukraine: External Impositions
Palestine and Ukraine, with 16 and 8 shutdowns respectively in 2023, stand out due to the external nature of their internet disruptions. In Palestine, all 16 shutdowns were imposed by Israel, particularly during conflict escalations, severely limiting access to information and humanitarian aid. Similarly, Ukraine’s 8 shutdowns were largely attributed to Russian actions amid the ongoing war. In 2025, these regions continue to face connectivity challenges driven by geopolitical conflicts, highlighting how internet shutdowns can be weaponized in warfare. The human toll is significant, as these blackouts obstruct emergency healthcare, documentation of war crimes, and humanitarian efforts.
Pakistan and Iraq: Regional Instability
Pakistan and Iraq recorded 7 and 6 shutdowns, respectively, in 2023. In Pakistan, shutdowns were often linked to political protests and security concerns, while Iraq’s disruptions stemmed from regional instability and government efforts to control information during conflicts. In 2025, both countries continue to grapple with these issues, with shutdowns disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and hindering economic activity. The trend of targeting mobile networks, seen in 59% of India’s shutdowns, is also evident in Pakistan and Iraq, reflecting a broader pattern in 2025.
Azerbaijan, Ethiopia, and Senegal: Emerging Trends
Azerbaijan (5 shutdowns), Ethiopia (4), and Senegal (4) complete the top 10 list for 2023. In Azerbaijan, shutdowns were tied to political events and elections, a trend that persists into 2025 as governments seek to control narratives during sensitive periods. Ethiopia’s shutdowns, particularly in the Tigray region, have continued since 2020, with full connectivity still unrestored in 2025. Senegal’s four shutdowns in 2023 were linked to protests, and in 2025, this pattern continues as authorities respond to social unrest with internet restrictions. These countries highlight the broadening geographic scope of shutdowns, with 80 incidents in 2023 impacting entire regions or nations.
Triggers and Trends in 2025
The reasons for internet shutdowns in 2025 mirror those of 2023, with conflicts, protests, and elections being primary triggers. Conflicts drove 74 shutdowns across nine countries in 2023, while protests led to 63 shutdowns in 15 countries. Additionally, 12 shutdowns in six countries were ordered to prevent exam cheating, a practice notably prevalent in India. In 2025, natural disasters have emerged as a new trigger, with four shutdowns in 2023 linked to events like floods in Libya and earthquakes in Türkiye, disrupting emergency response efforts.
Another concerning trend in 2025 is the increasing duration of shutdowns. In India, for instance, the percentage of shutdowns lasting five days or more rose from 15% in 2022 to 41% in 2023. This prolonged impact exacerbates economic losses and human rights violations, as communities lose access to essential services and information. The shift toward regional rather than local shutdowns also amplifies the scale of disruption, affecting millions simultaneously.
Impacts on Democracy and Human Rights
Internet shutdowns in 2025 continue to undermine democratic principles and human rights. By restricting access to information, governments limit free speech, assembly, and the ability to document abuses. In Manipur, India, the 2023 shutdowns made it harder to report gender-based violence, a pattern that persists in 2025. Similarly, in conflict zones like Palestine and Ukraine, shutdowns hinder humanitarian aid and accountability for war crimes. Economically, the cost is immense—India’s $1.9 billion loss in 2023 is a stark reminder of the ripple effects on investment and employment.
Fighting Back in 2025
Despite the challenges, 2025 sees growing resistance to internet shutdowns. The #KeepItOn coalition and organizations like Access Now advocate for transparency and accountability, urging governments to adhere to international human rights standards. Legal challenges, such as those in India citing Supreme Court guidelines, are gaining traction. Additionally, communities are adopting workarounds like VPNs and offline communication tools to bypass restrictions, though these are not always accessible to all.
Recommendations for Stakeholders
To address internet shutdowns in 2025, stakeholders must act decisively. Governments should prioritize transparency by publishing shutdown orders and justifying their necessity. International bodies can impose sanctions on regimes that weaponize connectivity restrictions. Civil society must continue documenting incidents and advocating for digital rights, while tech companies can develop tools to help users stay connected during blackouts. Public awareness campaigns in 2025 are crucial to highlight the human and economic costs of these measures.
Conclusion
As we navigate 2025, internet shutdowns remain a global challenge, with India (116 in 2023), Myanmar (37), Iran (34), Palestine (16), Ukraine (8), Pakistan (7), Iraq (6), Azerbaijan (5), Ethiopia (4), and Senegal (4) leading the list of offenders. These disruptions, driven by conflicts, protests, and other triggers, undermine democracy, economic stability, and human rights. By understanding the trends from 2023 and their persistence into 2025, we can better advocate for a free and open internet. The fight against internet shutdowns in 2025 requires collective action to ensure connectivity remains a fundamental right, not a privilege subject to government whims.
