When Governments Shut Down the Internet
Imagine waking up and instinctively reaching for your smartphone, expecting to see the weather, catch up on news, check work messages, and stay connected with the world. Now, imagine that due to growing political unrest, your government suddenly shuts down the internet, cutting off your access to all of that.
Unfortunately, this is becoming a common reality as internet shutdowns are increasingly normalized. We’ve seen this happen in various parts of the world—during Egypt’s 2011 revolution, Turkey’s failed military coup in 2016, and even more recently in Belarus during an election. People caught in conflicts, like those in Gaza, often find themselves unable to communicate or access news when they need it most.
Governments may justify these actions by saying they’re trying to stop the spread of misinformation or silence critics. But in a world where internet access is seen as a basic necessity, the rising trend of these shutdowns is alarming and can happen when you least expect it.
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Key Points to Consider- When Governments Shut Down the Internet
- 2023 was the worst year for internet shutdowns, and the trend is growing.
- In July and August 2024, 170 million people in Bangladesh were left without internet for 10 days.
- One in eight countries holding elections in 2024 has restricted internet access during elections since 2015.
- There have already been 87 internet shutdowns in 2024.
- Sometimes, it’s not politics—South Africa and Cuba have faced shutdowns due to power outages.
- When Governments Shut Down the Internet
- 2023 was the worst year for internet shutdowns, and the trend is growing.
- In July and August 2024, 170 million people in Bangladesh were left without internet for 10 days.
- One in eight countries holding elections in 2024 has restricted internet access during elections since 2015.
- There have already been 87 internet shutdowns in 2024.
- Sometimes, it’s not politics—South Africa and Cuba have faced shutdowns due to power outages.
Internet Blackouts and Global Connectivity at Risk
Time Magazine called 2023 the worst year for internet shutdowns. When governments use the internet kill switch, they can block access to websites, social media, and messaging apps faster than you might think. Whole towns, cities, countries, or even regions can be disconnected for hours, days, weeks, or even months.
With over 4 billion people eligible to vote in elections in 2024, internet blackouts could hit closer to home than expected. Already this year, there have been 87 internet shutdowns.
Bangladesh’s 10-Day Internet Shutdown Leaves 170 Million Offline
Internet shutdowns can strike when you least expect it. In Bangladesh, violent anti-government protests erupted between police and protesters, leading to over 200 deaths by July 2024. The government imposed a curfew and shut down internet access across the country for ten days to stop the unrest.
Initially, there was a complete internet blackout for five days at the start of August. Limited broadband returned after that, but mobile data and social media access remained blocked for longer. This left families unable to communicate, disrupted ride-sharing services, and forced online workers and businesses to a standstill.
VPNs became a lifeline, allowing some access to banned sites, but the slow speeds made it hard to return to normal life. Sadly, this isn’t an isolated case. Surfshark reports that “one in eight countries holding elections in 2024 has restricted internet access during elections since 2015.”
Being cut off from loved ones and the outside world during a crisis feels like something out of an Orwellian novel, yet it’s a growing reality. The use of internet blackouts to silence and isolate people is increasing, affecting millions worldwide.
Infrastructure Failures and Internet Blackouts
Earlier this year, Africa made headlines when it lost internet connectivity due to undersea fiber optic cable failures. But that was just one of the challenges the continent has faced in staying online.
South Africa has been grappling with an energy crisis since 2008. To manage the national grid, authorities implemented “load shedding,” which involves scheduled power outages. By 2022, some communities were still without power for up to 8 hours a day, severely impacting daily life.
The government tried to help by introducing schedules and mobile apps to plan for outages. While South Africa has seen some improvement since March, 7,500 miles away in Cuba, citizens continue to endure regular power cuts lasting up to 18 hours a day. These blackouts take the country offline and disrupt essential services like food storage.
In some parts of the world, people turn up the air conditioning to stay cool. But in places like South Africa and Cuba, energy and infrastructure challenges have a much deeper impact on daily life.
The Bottom Line
The debate over using internet shutdowns to control political dissent and manage infrastructure challenges is likely to continue. Our reliance on the internet and power in modern society is becoming a vulnerability that can be exploited by simply pulling the plug.
So, the next time you reach for your smartphone to check in with family, friends, or the latest news, consider how prepared you’d be if your government decided to cut you off from the digital world.
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