INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN 2023 43 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional overview in 2023 29 44 77 shutdowns shutdowns shutdowns Iran: 34 Palestine: 16* *all imposed by Israel 14 15 15 countries countries countries 2021 2022 2023 Iraq: 6 Jordan: 3 Libya: 3 Mauritania: 2 Oman: 2 Sudan: 2 Syria: 2 Türkiye: 2 Algeria: 1 Lebanon: 1 Qatar: 1 Saudi Arabia: 1 United Arab Emirates: 1 Grindr is blocked in 8 countries: Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates Shutdowns during natural disasters: Earthquake in Türkiye and Iraq 48.1% affected locations in more than one state, province, or region Floods in Libya In 2023, people across the MENA region faced an onslaught of violence and upheaval, including the outbreak of conflict between competing military factions in Sudan and Israel’s war in Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7. The region also saw devastating natural disasters in Libya, Syria, Iraq, and Türkiye and a continued crackdown on protesters and women in Iran.229 Amid these tumultuous and tragic developments that have resulted in some of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history — including tens of thousands of deaths, famine, and displacement of millions across the region — authorities tightened control over the flow of information, causing further havoc and suffering. 45.5% affected more than one city in the same state, province, or region 6.5% only affected one city, county, or village In 2023, Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented 77 shutdowns in 15 countries — the highest annual number of both shutdown incidents and perpetrators on record in the region since 2016. In 2022, we documented 44 shutdowns in 15 countries. Iran, which is known for its repressive tactics, accounted for 34 shutdowns in 2023, most of which targeted protesters. Israel perpetrated all 16 shutdowns recorded in Palestine as part of its attack on the Gaza Strip. The increasing deployment of internet shutdowns during armed conflicts, continued use of shutdowns during exams, and targeting of vulnerable groups in the MENA region in the past few years is alarming and must be condemned by all actors. 229 Atlantic Council (2023). 2023: A year in the Middle East. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/2023-a-year-in-the-middle-east