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In times of crisis, temporarily limiting people’s freedom is not an unprecedented action. Thus, internet shutdowns are more likely to resemble nation-wide punishments obstructing people’s rights. Experts have also noted that internet cut-offs can spark more violence and outrage amongst citizens. However, such countermeasures also halt peaceful opposition, a cornerstone of democratic societies. In cases of violent riots, the reasons for shutting down communication channels are somewhat justifiable. Officials typically claim that internet blackouts resolve national security threats and counteract the permanent loss of life. Additionally, it stops people from collaborating and coordinating their actions with other entities within the region. Thus, experts associate state-ordered shutdowns to means for suppressing the natural flow of information.įor one, it prevents citizens from raising awareness of the situation globally. Usually, government-mandated internet blackouts serve as a response from authorities in times of political unrest. Intentions behind such connectivity cut-offs are to digitally isolate particular groups of people from the rest of the world. Typically, government officials suppress the flow of information and expression during protests, elections, or other circumstances deemed threatening.Īn internet shutdown is an intentional disruption of internet-based services. The latter also relates to the conditions in which internet blackouts are the most frequent.

During internet shutdowns, people cannot contact their families, receive medical care, or organize peaceful demonstrations. Activists label such blackouts as clear violations of human rights, frequently occurring alongside higher levels of repression. Over time, internet shutdowns became tools for blocking incoming and outgoing information within a specific country or region. We have witnessed unsettling numbers of deliberate blackouts initiated by governments or non-state actors in the past decade. Internet shutdowns are incidents when the internet and even cellular services suddenly become inaccessible or unusable.