9 | RISING REPRESSION MEETS GLOBAL RESISTANCE: INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN 2025 Shutdowns during protests and political instability 64 shutdowns in 19 countries during protests and political instability Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Myanmar, Pakistan, Panama, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Türkiye, Venezuela Protests continued to be a persistent driver for shutdowns in 2025, with 64 protest-related shutdowns across 19 countries as authorities attempted to curb dissent,30 crack down on the opposition and consolidate power,31 and hide human rights abuses under the cover of shutdowns.32 In only 33% of cases did authorities publicly acknowledge a shutdown occurred (with the exception of India where shutdown orders must technically be published by law).33 When they did, they gave the same excuses, claiming the shutdowns were to protect national security34 or maintain public safety,35 even though the majority of these shutdowns were tied to anti-government protests36 or protests by opposition parties.37 Shutdowns during protests and political instability by region6 39 3 Africa Asia Pacific Latin America and the Caribbean Middle East and North Africa 14 61% of internet shutdowns during protests & political instability in 2025 affected countries in the Asia Pacific region. 8 29 Cameroon imposed a shutdown which caused a downstream disruption in the Central African Republic. See Chapter IV: New and continuing trends in 2025 – Cross-border shutdowns. 30 Ver Angola (2025). Angolan NGOs consider internet shutdown during Saturday's protests a dictatorial measure. https://www.verangola.net/ va/en/072025/Society/45242/Angolan-NGOs-consider-internet-shutdown-during-Saturday%27s-protests-a-dictatorial-measure.htm/ 31 Africanews (2025). Internet blackout deepens tensions after disputed election in Cameroon. https://www.africanews.com/2025/10/24/ internet-blackout-deepens-tensions-after-disputed-election-in-cameroon/ 32 Amnesty International (2025). Tanzania: Security forces used unlawful lethal force in election protest crackdown and 'took away' dead bodies. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/12/tanzania-security-forces-used-unlawful-lethal-force-in-election-protest-crackdown-andtook-away-dead-bodies/ 33 Software Freedom Law Centre, India (2025). Telecom suspension rules, 2024: New language, same shutdowns? https://sflc.in/telecomsuspension-rules-2024/ 34 35 Dawn (2025). BNP-M reaches Kalat in march to Quetta against crackdown on Baloch activists. https://www.dawn.com/news/1900877/ InternetShutdowns.in on X (2025). https://x.com/NetShutdowns/status/1973343923226681840/ 36 IPANDETEC (2025). Panamá debe restablecer el acceso a Internet y telefonía móvil en Bocas del Toro de forma inmediata. https://www. ipandetec.org/panama/panama-debe-restablecer-internet-bocas/ 37 Al Jazeera (2025). Why has Pakistan-administered Kashmir erupted in protest again? https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/3/why-haspakistan-administered-kashmir-erupted-in-protest-again/