10 SHRINKING DEMOCRACY, GROWING VIOLENCE Ukraine, respectively.10 Cable cuts impacting Taiwan’s Matsu Islands suggest China may also be among this group.11 In addition, authorities continued to impose high numbers of platform blocks, cutting off entire countries from essential communications platforms as well as targeting specific vulnerable communities, as we’ve seen with the growing list of countries targeting LGBTQ+ people by blocking platforms like Grindr. In 2023, we saw internet shutdowns impacting more people in more places more often, and a solidifying core of worst offenders wielded shutdowns with impunity. Despite the fact that these shutdowns flagrantly violate human rights enshrined in national, regional, and international frameworks, governments deliberately imposed shutdowns to advance their own political interests — harming people and communities and endangering lives.12 Authorities continued to give insufficient or ill-defined reasons for implementing shutdowns, such as national security concerns, public safety, or to prevent the spread of misinformation and hate speech, using disruptions either as a disproportionate and ineffective tool for addressing a problem or in obvious efforts to oppress, silence, and control. In the majority of cases, governments took no responsibility and offered no explanation. Despite these troubling developments, there has been overwhelming support and solidarity from the international community in our fight against internet shutdowns, and we saw stakeholders around the world stepping up with unprecedented action in 2023 to #KeepItOn. As part of our collective advocacy with coalition members and partners through the #KeepItOn Election Watch, we saw a record-high three countries with a history of shutdowns — the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, and Sierra Leone — make and uphold public commitments to keep people connected during their 2023 election cycles.13 Common causes for internet shutdowns Stated • National security Public safety • Preventing the spread of misinformation and hate speech Actual • Oppress • Silence • Control In 2024, we welcomed similar commitments from authorities in Bangladesh to ensure people had access to open and secure internet during the general elections in February.14 The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) — a partnership of 39 governments — also published a landmark joint statement urging governments to stop imposing internet shutdowns during electoral periods in accordance with their international human rights 10 Access Now (2023). How Israel is shutting down the internet in Gaza. https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/how-israelis-shutting-down-the-internet-in-gaza/; Access Now (2024). What they did in the shadows: Internet shutdowns and atrocities in Ukraine. https://www.accessnow.org/internet-shutdowns-and-atrocities-in-ukraine/ 11 NIKKEI Asia (2023). Taiwan’s island internet cutoff highlights infrastructure risks. https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Taiwan-sisland-internet-cutoff-highlights-infrastructure-risks/ 12 See Access Now (2023). U.N. passes landmark resolution condemning internet shutdowns. https://www.accessnow.org/ press-release/un-passes-resolution-condemning-internet-shutdowns/; Médecins sans frontières (n.d.). The Practical Guide to Humanitarian Law; Collective punishment. https://guide-humanitarian-law.org/content/article/3/collective-punishment/; Access Now (2022). #KeepItOn: frequently asked questions; Key Stakeholder Groups. https://www.accessnow.org/campaign/keepiton/ keepiton-faq/#key-stakeholder-groups 13 Access Now (2023). 2023 elections and internet shutdowns watch. https://www.accessnow.org/campaign/2023-electionsand-internet-shutdowns-watch/; Actu7 (2023). Elections 2023: “On ne coupera pas la connexion internet le jour du vote” (Peter Kazadi). https://actu7.cd/2023/12/19/elections-2023-on-ne-coupera-pas-la-connexion-internet-le-jour-du-votepeter-kazadi/; Sahara Reporters (2023). Nigerian Communications Commission Says No Network Shutdown During General Elections. https://saharareporters.com/2023/02/24/nigerian-communications-commission-says-no-network-shutdownduring-general-elections/; Felicia Anthonio (@FelAnthonio). X post. 4:50 pm. June 29, 2023.https://x.com/FelAnthonio/ status/1674460297715757080 14 The Financial Express (2024). Regulator orders nonstop telecom services during election. https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/metro-news/regulator-orders-nonstop-telecom-services-during-election-1704387656/