internet shutdowns

India’s Draft Telco Bill empowers governments to impose internet shutdowns
India’s Draft Telco Bill empowers governments to impose internet shutdowns 27 October 2022 Various

APC and the other signatories of this open letter urge the Department of Telecommunications to withdraw the Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill and to prepare a new rights-respecting version, in consultation with stakeholders.

APC calls for Iran to immediately stop violence against citizens and blocking of internet access during the latest protests
APC calls for Iran to immediately stop violence against citizens and blocking of internet access during the latest protests 05 October 2022 APC

The Association for Progressive Communications is outraged by the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in Iran as well as deeply alarmed by the ensuing violent crackdown on protests, violations of women’s rights, and widespread internet shutdowns across the country. 

Joint Stakeholder Report Universal Periodic Review 41st Session – India
Joint Stakeholder Report Universal Periodic Review 41st Session – India 30 August 2022 Access Now, APC, Internet Freedom Foundation

This joint stakeholder report focuses on key issues relating to human rights online in India, including internet shutdowns, digital exclusion, freedom of speech and expression online, online harassment and hate speech, privacy, surveillance and data protection.

Eswatini passes cyber laws under dark clouds
Eswatini passes cyber laws under dark clouds 23 August 2022 Ndimphiwe Shabangu

Since early 2021, the Kingdom of Eswatini has been gripped by waves of civil unrest, with reports of internet shutdowns implemented by the government in response to protests. It is in this climate of suspicion and unrest that cybercrime and data protection laws were gazetted in early 2022.

Internet shutdowns and human rights
Internet shutdowns and human rights 23 February 2022 APC and Derechos Digitales

This submission was produced in response to the call by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for input to a report on internet shutdowns and human rights that will be presented to the 50th session of the Human Rights Council in June 2022.

How weaponisation of network disruptions during elections threatens democracy
How weaponisation of network disruptions during elections threatens democracy 26 November 2021 Evelyn Lirri

In August 2021, Zambia became the latest country to restrict citizens’ access to social media platforms as the country went to the polls. The disruption of digital communications has become a recurring theme in numerous countries during elections and in times of public protest.

HRC47: Joint oral statement on internet shutdowns in the context of protests
HRC47: Joint oral statement on internet shutdowns in the context of protests 01 July 2021 ARTICLE 19, Access Now and APC

In recognition of the 250 organisations in the #KeepItOn Coalition against internet shutdowns, we urge all states to immediately and unconditionally cease shutting down, throttling, or blocking the internet.

How telecom companies in Africa can respond better to internet disruptions
How telecom companies in Africa can respond better to internet disruptions 24 March 2021 Victor Kapiyo, CIPESA

Disruptions to the internet and social media applications have emerged as a common and growing trend of digital repression, especially in authoritarian countries in Africa. Since 2019, numerous countries in the region have either restricted or fully blocked access to the internet.

Statement by Myanmar human rights organisations on the Myanmar coup
Statement by Myanmar human rights organisations on the Myanmar coup 08 February 2021 Various

The undersigned organisations call on the military to immediately respect the election results, return power to the elected parliament and government, unconditionally release all those detained, refrain from all acts of violence, and restore and maintain full internet connectivity.

Dialling in the Law: A comparative assessment of jurisprudence on internet shutdowns
Dialling in the Law: A comparative assessment of jurisprudence on internet shutdowns 03 November 2020 Aayush Rathi, Arindrajit Basu and Anoushka Soni

This report outlines jurisprudence across the global South on the legality of internet shutdowns. It tackles the growing challenge of government-mandated disruptions of internet access around the world, often under the guise of safeguarding public order and upholding national security interests.

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