Internet Shutdowns Plunged Millions into ‘Digital Darkness’ Last Year
- India tops shutdown list again with 109 shutdowns in 2020
- Blocked web access cost global economy $4 billion last year
This article is for subscribers only.
India led the world last year in internet shutdowns that affected hundreds of millions of people, as governments cracked down on political rivals and tried to suppress protests.
At least 155 internet shutdowns in 2020 disrupted access for people in 29 countries, according to a report on Wednesday from digital rights group Access Now. That included 28 full internet blackouts that plunged people and in some cases entire cities, into “digital darkness,” the report said. Most recorded incidents took place in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.