Data by Surfshark’s Internet Shutdown Tracker shows which countries witnessed internet restrictions in the first half (that is from January to June) of 2024. According to the insights, the internet in 9 countries was restricted by their own governments to silence the public during protests and political unrest. Overall, 21 internet restrictions were witnessed in the first half of 2024 as compared to 42 restrictions in the first half of 2023.
India was the top country with most internet restrictions witnessed in the first half of 2024. A total of 7 restrictions were observed. 6 of the restrictions were due to different protests in the cities and regions. Since 2015, India has been on the top for the country with most internet restrictions and it doesn’t look like the internet restrictions are going to stop anytime soon.
Pakistan saw five internet restrictions in the first half of 2024 because of the election period. Three internet restrictions were imposed by the interim government during and after elections, while two were imposed before the elections. This shows the aspect of democracy in Pakistan and how the state restricts the internet to silence the public and emerging voices.
Senegal witnessed two internet restrictions amidst elections. Jammu & Kashmir also witnessed two internet restrictions in the first half of 2024. Three countries witnessed internet restrictions for the first time since 2015. These countries were El Salvador, Comoros and Kenya. All of these countries experienced internet restrictions because of elections or other political unrest.
Overall, 10 out of 21 times the internet was restricted because of protests due to different reasons, 4 were due to elections and 7 were related to different other political reasons.
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