15 INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN 2024 Event(s) and context: 4Impacted country or territory 1. Russia continued its illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine and in 2024 launched a cyberattack on Ukrainian ISPs, as well as deploying at least six sets of missile strikes targeting energy infrastructure, all of which led to significant internet disruptions across Ukraine.52 2. Israel continued its onslaught on Gaza in 2024, including imposing internet shutdowns in areas where the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were focusing military action. The shutdowns, which have been documented since October 2023,53 persisted throughout 2024, forcing people across Gaza offline, and coinciding with numerous documented atrocities and war crimes,54 including mass displacement, military targeting of shelters and hospitals, cutting off humanitarian aid, and constant bombardments of civilians.55 3. Thailand: During the active conflict in Myanmar, Thai authorities ordered internet service and phone lines serving people in Myanmar to be disconnected. These actions were intended to curb cybercrime, but affected local residents, disconnecting those relying on Thai networks, including vulnerable populations trafficked to work in scam call centers.56 4. Anonymous Sudan: The hacker group took credit for three separate cyberattacks that caused shutdowns in three countries. These attacks were in protest of Bahrain’s participation in a coalition opposing the Houthi in Yemen,57 Chad’s support of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, and Israel’s war on Gaza,58 respectively. 5. China: Perpetrators cut off electricity, internet, and phone lines from Chinese providers into Myanmar, first disrupting service for the city of Laukkai and later all border crossings for Kachin and Shan states. People in these areas of Myanmar had relied on internet from Chinese providers to stay connected despite heavy fighting and the persistent shutdowns of junta-controlled networks. 6. Kenya: During heightened protests in Kenya, Kenya and four other countries lost connectivity for over seven hours. While telecommunication companies Safaricom and Airtel claimed the outage was as a result of damaged undersea cables,59 the timing of the shutdown and relatively swift restoration of services suggests the disruption may have been a deliberate attempt by authorities to quell protests.60 7. Türkiye: Turkish authorities cut off internet access in parts of northern Syria during protests against Turkish policies.61 8. Ukraine: Ukrainian hackers carried out a cyberattack on Russian state media, including television, radio broadcasting, and the internet.62 52 United Nations (2024). Two Years after Russian Federation’s Invasion, UN Remains Committed to Ukraine’s Sovereignty, Independence, Assistant Secretary-General Tells Security Council. https://press. un.org/en/2024/sc15588.doc.htm 53 Access Now (2023). Palestine unplugged: how Israel disrupts Gaza’s internet. https://www.accessnow. org/publication/palestine-unplugged/ 54 OHCHR (2024). UN Commission finds war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israeli attacks on Gaza health facilities and treatment of detainees, hostages. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/10/ un-commission-finds-war-crimes-and-crimes-against-humanity-israeli-attacks 55 ReliefWeb (2024). Israeli Military Escalates Bombing of Civilian Homes in Rafah Amid Threats of Ground Invasion [EN/AR]. https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/israeli-military-escalatesbombing-civilian-homes-rafah-amid-threats-ground-invasion-enar 56 The Diplomat (2024). Thailand Cuts Off Internet, Mobile Phone Connections to Myanmar Scam Hub. https://thediplomat.com/2024/05/thailand-cuts-off-internet-mobile-phone-connections-to-myanmarscam-hub/ 57 The Hack Wire (2024). Bahrain Telecom Hit by DDoS Attack from Anonymous Sudan. https://www. thehackerwire.com/bahrain-telecom-hit-by-ddos-attack-from-anonymous-sudan/ 58 Cloudflare Radar (2024) on X. https://x.com/CloudflareRadar/status/1764710841130131662 59 Nation (2024). Safaricom CEO explains why there was a network outage on Tuesday. https://nation. africa/kenya/business/safaricom-ceo-explains-why-there-was-a-network-outage--4670198 60 Access Now (2024). Authorities in Kenya must immediately restore internet access and #KeepItOn throughout protests and unrest. https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/kenya-protests-internetshutdown/ 61 Hawar News Agency (2024). Internet cut by Turkish occupation in Syrian areas enters 7th day. https:// hawarnews.com/en/internet-cut-by-turkish-occupation-in-syrian-areas-enters-7th-day 62 Reuters (2024). Hacker attack disrupts Russian state media on Putin's birthday. https://www.reuters. com/technology/cybersecurity/russian-state-media-company-hit-by-unprecedented-cyberattackkremlin-says-2024-10-07/