Internet Shutdowns Tracker

South Asia Shutdowns Tracker

Through this webpage, SFLC.in documents all known instances of internet shutdowns, blocking of platforms as well as internet throttling, which essentially signifies as the following -

When a government orders disabling access to a particular social media or instant messaging platform, it will be reflected as an instance of platform blocking.
When the government orders suspension of internet services (3G, 4G, 5G, mobile internet; broadband etc.), it will reflect as an internet shutdown.
When the speed of internet connection is deliberately slowed down, it will reflect as an instance of internet throttling.

Total Recorded Events

Countries Covered

Tracked Shutdowns

Use filters to find records easily.

Showing 28 events.

Country	Scope	Networks / Services Affected	Type	Time Period	Status	Source
Bangladesh	Districts bordering India and Myanmar	Internet Services, Mobile phone services	-	31 Dec 2019 - 02 Jan 2020	Ended	Reference
The Bangladeshi Telecommunication Regulatory Commission ordered telecommunication service providers (Grameenphone, Teletalk, Robi and Banglalink) to suspend network coverage in districts bordering with India and Myanmar. The shutdown of roughly 2,000 mobile phone towers affected 32 border districts, with roughly 10 million mobile phone subscribers. The order was issued in response to the passage of India's Citizenship Amendment Act in the Parliament and owing to concerns that an influx of migrant population from India.
Bangladesh	Camp locations in Teknaf and Ukhiya in Cox’s Bazar	Internet Services	-	09 Sep 2019 - 28 Aug 2020	Ended	-
Internet restrictions imposed on camp locations in Teknaf and Ukhiya in Cox’s Bazar limited communications and access to information for nearly one million Rohingya refugees, and prevented humanitarian and aid organizations from providing assistance, including emergency services to those residing in the camps. The shutdown extended to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Internet blackout had impeded timely intervention to stop the spread of measles in the camps in January 2020, leaving a dozen children dead. It has likewise prevented refugees from communicating, and receiving news on conditions in Rakhine State from their loved ones who are still in Myanmar.
Pakistan	Lahore, Karachi and other cities along procession routes	Mobile internet	-	07 Sep 2019 - 10 Sep 2019	Ended	Reference
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority imposed mobile internet shutdowns along Ashura procession routes across multiple cities.
Bangladesh	Refugee Camps in Cox Bazar district and peninsula adjoining the Naf River	Curfew style downgrading of 3G and 4G internet from 5pm until 6am	-	02 Sep 2019 - 09 Sep 2019	Ended	-
The order cut Internet services off completely in camps where Rohingya refugees were residing, and restricted the sale of mobile phones, SIM cards and services to Rohingya refugees. Blocking Internet access in areas where a humanitarian crisis is in full swing has detrimental consequences on aid agencies who need reliable access to coordinate, on the refugees themselves, many of whom depend on the Internet to communicate with loved ones and receive financial support from relatives around the world, and the local population in the areas where the Internet is being restricted.
Myanmar	Rakhine and Chin	3G and 4G mobile networks	-	21 Jun 2019 - 02 Feb 2021	Ended	Reference
Myanmar's Ministry of Transport and Communications ordered mobile internet suspended in nine townships across Rakhine and Chin States amid escalating conflict between the military and the Arakan Army. The shutdown affected ~1.4 million people and became the world's then-longest internet shutdown, blocking COVID-19 information and humanitarian aid coordination. 2G was partially restored in August 2020.
Sri Lanka	Country-wide	Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Viber, WhatsApp, YouTube	-	13 May 2019 - 17 May 2019	Ended	Reference
Sri Lanka had banned social media again following a reported flare-up in religious tensions, three weeks after a series of suicide bombings rocked the country. The platforms were blocked to prevent “social unrest via hate messages and false information."
Sri Lanka	Country-wide	Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, Snapchat, Viber, WhatsApp, YouTube	-	05 May 2019 - 06 May 2019	Ended	Reference
Several Social Media websites including Facebook and WhatsApp seem blocked in Sri Lanka again probably to avoid Fake News and spread of hate speech following \#Negombo tense situation
Sri Lanka	Country-wide	Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, Twitter, WhatsApp	-	21 Apr 2019 - 30 Apr 2019	Ended	Reference
The Government of Sri Lanka blocked access to social media sites in the aftermath of the attacks that killed at least 207 people, in a bid to stop a spread of misinformation that could lead to further violence.

Shutdowns Insights

Quick visual summary based on the current filtered results.

Top Countries

Year-wise Trend

SFLC.IN is the first Indian legal services organization that works exclusively on technology, law, and policy. As a not-for-profit organization engaged in the empowerment of Indian citizens about their digital freedom and rights, it operates as a collective, bringing together different stakeholders to a common platform to further the cause of digital rights. SFLC.in promotes innovation and open access to knowledge by helping policy makers make informed and just decisions regarding the use and adoption of technology. As of 2020, SFLC.in is the only Indian organization to be inducted as a member of the IFEX, a global network to defend the right to freedom of expression and information.

South Asia Shutdowns Tracker

Tracked Shutdowns

Shutdowns Insights

Top Countries

Year-wise Trend

Software Freedom Law Center India

GET IN TOUCH

QUICK LINKS

SOCIAL MEDIA

Content Policy