Government Internet Shutdowns Cost $19.7B in 2025 https://www.top10vpn.com/research/cost-of-internet-shutdowns/ 1/9/26, 2:49 PM Page 7 of 33

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The Cost of Internet Shutdowns in 2025

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Abstract: Internet Shutdowns: Economic Impact 2025

$19.7 billion: total economic cost of internet shutdowns, a 156% increase versus 2024. 212 major government-imposed internet outages across 28 countries, the highest number recorded in a single year. 120,095 hours of internet disruption, a 70% rise on the previous year, including: Internet blackouts: 55,700 hours Social media blocks: 54,026 hours Throttling: 12,712 hours 798.12 million people impacted by deliberate internet restrictions. Social media disruption: X (Twitter) topped the list with 18,354 hours blocked, followed by Telegram (16,990 hours) and TikTok (14,646 hours). Most affected countries: Russia ($11.9 billion), Venezuela ($1.91 billion), Myanmar ($1.89 billion).