INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN 2023 and the region.171 China’s increased influence over undersea cable projects in the South China Sea and reduced U.S. investments in undersea cable projects in the region have both threatened to further destabilize an already precarious situation.172 To avoid disruptions to vital telecommunications services for people in Taiwan, as well as across East and Southeast 35 Asia, it is vitally important to strengthen and secure digital infrastructure. The #KeepItOn coalition will continue to monitor internet disruptions from undersea cable cuts, in East Asia and around the world, as well as the potential weaponization of cable cuts and their impact on vulnerable communities. // Shutdowns during protests and unrest In Pakistan and Bangladesh, authorities imposed shutdowns throughout 2023 during protests, primarily related to political instability and election cycles. Pakistan saw seven shutdowns across 2023, with four of these directly linked to disrupting election campaigning, protests, and public expression as the Pakistani establishment tried to disrupt political mobilization by a prominent opposition party.173 Shutdowns in Pakistan have continued to escalate in 2024 as authorities suspended mobile internet on election day in February 2024 and blocked X (formerly Twitter) for weeks.174 Bangladesh saw three shutdowns in 2023, continuing a trend from 2022 where the ruling government used shutdowns to suppress political dissent by opposition parties during rallies. 175 171 Independent (2022). Potential threat to Taiwan’s undersea internet cables pose risk to global economy, experts warn. https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/undersea-internet-cables-taiwan-china-b2157223.html 172 Supra note 11. 173 See, e.g., supra note 135. Cloudflare (2023). 174 Access Now (2024). #KeepItOn: To defend democracy authorities must immediately reconnect Pakistan’s internet. https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/keepiton-restore-internet-pakistan-elections-2024/; see also The Diplomat (2024). Pakistan's X Restrictions Near 1-Month Mark, Despite Court Ruling. https://thediplomat.com/2024/03/pakistans-xrestrictions-near-1-month-mark-despite-court-ruling/ 175 See supra note 135. The Daily Star (2023).