New #KeepItOn Report “Shrinking Democracy, Growing Violence – Internet shutdowns in 2023”
In 2023, internet shutdowns reached a record high, posing severe threats to human rights. Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented 283 shutdowns in 39 countries, a 41% increase from 2022. Conflicts emerged as the leading cause, with shutdowns also linked to natural disasters. Both democratic and authoritarian regimes used these disruptions to suppress fundamental rights, blocking vital information and concealing crimes. The report emphasizes the human impact, highlighting lives lost due to shutdowns in conflict zones. It calls for urgent action from governments, companies, and international actors to combat this trend and uphold human rights. Some of the recommendations for stakeholders include enacting laws banning information technologies and digital communication disruptions, ensuring access to reliable, secure telecommunications for civilians, and establishing independent oversight to protect human rights and rebuild trust between authorities and affected communities.