INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN 2023 11 obligations, looking with particular concern to the unprecedented number of elections slated for 2024.15 For the first time, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) — one of the world’s most influential bodies on governance of digital communications technologies — took a clear stance against internet shutdowns, condemning the communications blackout in Gaza and calling for “life-saving access to networks to be restored.”16 Individual policymakers and government agencies also played their part. In Iraq, where governmentordered shutdowns around exam periods have harmed communities every year since we first started recording cases in 2016, we saw the Ministry of Communications stepping up for the first time to publicly challenge the practice.17 Though it ultimately didn’t change the course of exam-related shutdowns in the country for 2023, it is important to acknowledge and support these dissenting voices advocating for a more rights-respecting approach. European Union officials also stepped up amid concerning developments to affirm that the newly adopted Digital Services Act (DSA) will not be used as a vehicle for imposing internet shutdowns.18 As democratic institutions falter, civic space shrinks, and wars escalate around the world, shutdowns have become a convenient tool for oppression and marginalization. The drastically high total number of shutdowns globally, entrenched use by the worst offenders year after year, and impunity for authorities has demonstrated how challenging the fight remains to #KeepItOn. Yet civil society and impacted communities have shown time after time their strength and ingenuity in working to mitigate and prevent internet shutdowns. With so much on the line, we must join together to bring internet shutdowns to an end. 15 Freedom Online Coalition (2023). Joint statement on internet shutdowns and elections. https://freedomonlinecoalition.com/joint-statement-internet-shutdowns-and-elections/ 16 International Telecommunication Union (@ITU). X post. 9:34 am. October 28, 2023. https://x.com/ITU/status/1718199636932890906 17 Kurdistan24 (2023). Iraq’s communication ministry refuses to enforce internet blackout for final exams. https://www. kurdistan24.net/en/story/31453-Iraq%E2%80%99s-communication-ministry-refuses-to-enforce-internet-blackout-for-finalexams/ 18 Access Now (2023). Civil society gets its confirmation from EU Commissioner: no internet shutdowns under DSA. https:// www.accessnow.org/press-release/commissioner-breton-responds-dsa/