SHRINKING DEMOCRACY, GROWING VIOLENCE 14 significantly. Since then, however, movements of all kinds have steadily rekindled around the globe, and internet shutdowns have remained a go-to tactic for authorities aiming to crack down on dissent. In 2023, this ongoing wave of anti-government protests met with the eruption of new protests in seven countries that had not seen major protests in the previous five years.39 In fact, researchers documented the emergence of new protests in at least 83 countries.40 In this context, governments shut down the internet to crack down on dissent 63 times in 15 countries: Bangladesh, Cuba, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, India, Iran, Jordan, Libya, Mauritania, Mozambique, Pakistan, Senegal, Somaliland, and Suriname. This matches the pace of such shutdowns in 2022, when we also saw 63 disruptions during protests. Shutdowns during elections In 2023, we documented five election-related shutdowns, leveling off at the same number as 2022 following a steady downward trend since the peak of 12 election-related shutdowns in both 2018 and 2019. Through Access Now’s annual #KeepItOn Election Watch campaign — and with support, collaboration, and guidance from #KeepItOn members and partners — we successfully mobilized and advocated against election-related shutdowns in 18 countries that were past offenders or otherwise high risk.41 Out of these 18 countries, we documented only one election-related shutdown in Gabon, where incumbent authorities cut off internet access, expelled foreign press, and disallowed participation from independent election observers.42 In addition, Mozambique imposed its first internet shutdown on record in response to protests over the outcome of elections,43 Venezuela disrupted access in the capital Caracas amid a highly irregular primary election,44 and state-level authorities in India issued blocking orders for Kiphire district while responding to post-poll violence.45 Uganda also maintained its ongoing Facebook platform block for all of 2023, a shutdown that was first implemented during the 2021 election cycle.46 We have also seen increased commitments from governments to keep internet access open and secure throughout the electoral period. As we note above, in 2023, past offenders the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nigeria, and Sierra Leone all pledged to #KeepItOn during their elections, setting an important example of reform in the region. These proactive commitments and overall reduction in the number of election-related shutdowns are a reflection of years of tireless advocacy from #KeepItOn coalition members and like-minded supporters. We have seen a growing international consensus against the use of internet shutdowns in the context of elections, with recognition that they fundamentally inhibit the legitimacy of any democratic process. This includes the aforementioned Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) statement on election shutdowns in 2023,47 and the more recent resolution from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).48 These trends are also closely linked to the global elections landscape and the context in which elections are taking place. With an unprecedented number of elections happening at every level around the globe in 2024, this year will be an important measure of progress toward putting an end to election-related shutdowns for good. 39 See supra note 6. 40 Carnegie Endowment For International Peace (2024). Global Protest Tracker. https://carnegieendowment.org/publications/ interactive/protest-tracker/ 41 See supra note 1. Access Now (2023). 42 France 24 (2023). Gabon blocks internet access, imposes curfew amid election voting delays. https://www.france24.com/en/ africa/20230826-gabon-blocks-internet-access-imposes-curfew-amid-election-voting-delays/ 43 allAfrica (2023). Mozambique: Internet Shutdown as Polls Close. https://allafrica.com/stories/202310120129.html 44 Crisis24 (2023). Venezuela: Internet service disruptions ongoing in several locations in Caracas late Oct. 22 amid primary voting. https://crisis24.garda.com/alerts/2023/10/venezuela-internet-service-disruptions-ongoing-in-several-locations-incaracas-late-oct-22-amid-primary-voting/ 45 Nagaland Post (2023). Post-poll violence continues across Nagaland. https://nagalandpost.com/index.php/2023/03/01/ post-poll-violence-continues-across-nagaland/ 46 Monitor (2022). Facebook to remain shut as govt talks with tech giant stall. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/ facebook-to-remain-shut-as-govt-talks-with-tech-giant-stall-3912172/ 47 Supra note 15. 48 African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (2024). Resolution on Internet Shutdowns and Elections in Africa - ACHPR. Res.580 (LXXVIII)2024. https://achpr.au.int/index.php/en/adopted-resolutions/580-internet-shutdowns-elections-africaachprres580-lxxvii/