Governments are cutting their citizens off from internet access more than ever. Weaponising access to the digital world, especially during protests, elections and times of crisis, is of growing concern to UNESCO, which recently raised alarm over the central role of online connectivity in modern democracy.
“Access to information is an integral part of the universal right to freedom of expression,” UNESCO says. They report that 2024 was the worst year on record for internet shutdowns since 2016. The agency calls for governments to adopt policies that enable access rather than connectivity barriers.
UNESCO considers internet connectivity essential to the enjoyment of a wide range of human rights, including education, freedom of association and assembly, and participation in social, cultural, and political life. UNESCO notes that shutdowns also fuel misinformation. When journalists, media outlets and public authorities are cut off, verified information becomes scarce, leading to the spread of rumours and unverified content.
These concerns echo findings from a 2022 report by the UN human rights office (OHCHR) that examined the global use of internet shutdowns during protests and elections. The report found that shutdowns can prevent hospitals from reaching doctors in emergencies, deprive voters of information, cut off small businesses from customers, and leave protesters unable to call for help during violent crackdowns.
Because of their indiscriminate nature, shutdowns often affect millions beyond their stated targets, deepening digital divides and undermining social, economic and democratic progress. As they become more common, the UN warns they risk normalising digital repression and eroding global norms around open access, accountability and freedom of expression.
Recent months have seen a broad escalation in internet shutdowns and digital restrictions amid political unrest or elections in many parts of the world. In January 2026, Iranian authorities enforced a near-total nationwide internet blackout during protests, reducing connectivity to near zero and severely disrupting communication and commerce.
In Afghanistan, Taliban-ordered nationwide shutdowns in late 2025 further hindered humanitarian work, journalism and education, especially for women and girls. Elsewhere, governments have increasingly turned to platform bans and partial cuts: Nepal suspended access to 26 social media and messaging services amid unrest, while Russia has routinely blocked services like Snapchat and FaceTime as part of wider censorship campaigns.
Across Africa, several states, including Senegal, Nigeria, Kenya, Comoros and Mauritius, have used shutdowns during elections or protests, and Uganda imposed a total blackout around its 2026 presidential vote before partially restoring access. Other repeat offenders include India and Pakistan, which have repeatedly cut or throttled the internet in response to dissent.
These events reflect a global trend affecting more than 50 countries, with varying degrees of restrictions from full blackouts to targeted platform blocks and throttling.
SPONSORED
