Global Internet Blackouts Surge: Rights Under Threat

The frequency of deliberate internet shutdowns worldwide has surged dramatically, with 296 incidents recorded in 54 countries in 2024 and 244 more by December 2025. Afghanistan's recent two-day national blackout, mandated by the Taliban, highlights a growing trend where authorities offer little to no explanation, leaving populations isolated during critical events like natural disasters, elections, and protests.

These shutdowns, whether total or partial, are no longer mere inconveniences. The internet is essential infrastructure, vital for human rights, communication, work, and access to information. Governments employ these blackouts for diverse reasons, including suppressing political unrest, controlling information during elections, and even preventing exam cheating. Some nations, like Iran, have sophisticated methods to force citizens onto monitored intranets, while others, like India, lead in the sheer number of incidents.

With internet penetration rates high globally, these shutdowns inflict severe harm, impacting daily life, business, healthcare, and security. In conflict zones, they impede humanitarian aid delivery and civilian safety. While workarounds like VPNs exist, they are not accessible to all. International condemnation has had limited success, as countries increasingly learn from each other, making reliable internet access a norm increasingly under threat.