INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN 2023 29 Shutdowns in Africa in 20236 5.9% only affected one city, county, or village 11.8% affected more than one city in the same state, province, or region Platform blocks In 10 of the region’s 17 shutdowns, authorities specifically targeted social media platforms. During protests in Ethiopia and Senegal and elections in Guinea, governments blocked access to a suite of social media platforms, in attempts to restrict the flow of information and suppress dissent. Authorities in Kenya blocked access to Telegram for the first time during national exams in November.127 While the government did not issue any formal public shutdown order, the blocking was reportedly imposed to limit the spread of leaked examination materials.128 Uganda’s blocking of Facebook starting during the 2021 election has continued to cause serious damage to human rights and the digital market.129 Yet even after legal threats from the Urban Smart Traders Business Association Limited in October 2023, and an ongoing challenge filed at the East African Court of Justice in 2021, the government failed to lift the 82.4% affected locations in more than one state, province, or region block.130 In January 2024, Uganda’s Minister for ICT and National Guidance claimed that the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) was in talks with Facebook about how to resume operation in the country after the three-year blockade, but as we write, the outcome of any such talks is uncertain.131 In Tanzania, authorities imposed service-based shutdowns for the first time since 2020, signaling an increasing crackdown on digital spaces. In January, authorities blocked access to Grindr, as part of a wider campaign to suppress the rights of LGBTQ+ people and communities.132 In August, they also blocked Clubhouse, a social networking app based on audiochat, with no explanation.133 A few months later, the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) issued a directive restricting the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which can assist people in regaining access to blocked platforms.134 127 Access Now (2023). Telegram in Kenya: keep people connected during national exams. https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/telegram-kenya-connected-national-exams/ 128 TechCabal (2023). Telegram is disrupted in Kenya as internet authorities remain silent. https://techcabal.com/2023/11/21/telegram-offline-in-kenya/ 129 Monitor (2022). We'll reopen Facebook when they stop playing games – Museveni. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/ news/national/we-ll-reopen-facebook-when-they-stop-playing-games-museveni-4064942 130 allAfrica (2023). Uganda: Govt Given Two Week Ultimatum to Reopen Facebook or Face Legal Action. https://allafrica. com/stories/202310250583.html; East African Court of Justice (2021). Reference No. 12 of 2021 East African Law Society v. The Attorney General of the Republic of Uganda & The Secretary General of the East African Community. https://www.eacj. org/?cases=reference-no-12-of-2021-east-african-law-society-v-the-attorney-general-of-the-republic-of-uganda-thesecretary-general-of-the-east-african-community 131 New Vision (2024). Govt, Facebook in talks to end three year blockade. https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/govt-facebook-in-talks-to-end-three-year-bloc-NV_179442/ 132 133 OONI (2023). Tanzania blocked Grindr. https://explorer.ooni.org/findings/203466718601/ OONI (2023). Tanzania blocked Clubhouse. https://explorer.ooni.org/findings/185407756401/ 134 CIO Africa (2023). Tanzania Imposes Ban On VPN Usage Without A Permit. https://cioafrica.co/tanzania-imposes-ban-onvpn-usage-without-a-permit/