7 | RISING REPRESSION MEETS GLOBAL RESISTANCE: INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN 2025 II. Triggers for internet shutdowns in 2025 Triggers of internet shutdowns refer to incidents and contexts during which authorities are more likely to impose internet shutdowns. In recent years, conflict and protests have consistently been the dominant triggers of shutdowns. Among the other listed triggers, elections and exams are comparatively predictable contexts during which authorities often impose internet shutdowns and ahead of which we can prepare and target our advocacy. Internet shutdown triggers in 20256 48 16 14 13 12 11 8 8 Religious holiday Shutdowns during conflict 125 conflict-related shutdowns in 14 countries Cambodia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, India, Iran, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Russia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen For the third year in a row, conflict was the leading trigger of shutdowns with 125 conflict-related shutdowns across 14 countries — the highest total ever and 40% of the global total in 2025. This alarming development shows how emboldened perpetrators have become as they systematically disrupt civilian connectivity around the world with impunity. Through airstrikes on power and telecommunications infrastructure,19 seizure of LEO satellite internet terminals,20 jamming devices,21 cyberattacks,22 and a range of other tactics,23 perpetrators are regularly using internet shutdowns as part of the means and methods of warfare. 19 IODA (2025). How Russia's Recent Attacks on Ukraine's Energy Grid Impacted its Internet Connectivity. https://ioda.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu/ reports/how-russias-recent-attacks-on-ukraines-energy-grid-impacted-its-internet-connectivity-2/ 20 SHAN News on Facebook (2025). https://www.facebook.com/100066891622617/posts/1140682671504776/ 21 EngageMedia (2025). Myanmar Digital Coup Quarterly: August 2025 – October 2025. https://engagemedia.org/2025/myanmar-digital-coupquarterly-august-2025-october-2025/ 22 The Record (2025). DDoS incident disrupts internet for thousands in Moscow. https://therecord.media/moscow-internet-provider-asvtddos-attack/ 23 See, e.g., OONI Explorer (2025). Iran blocked WhatsApp amid war with Israel. https://explorer.ooni.org/findings/273244099200 See also supra note 11. Access Now (2025).