Internet Shutdowns: 53 Blackouts Recorded So Far in 2020, Say Digital Rights Activists

At least 53 internet shutdowns in 15 countries have been recorded in 2020 so far, according to digital rights group Access Now.

Countries in which governments have significantly restricted, throttled or shutdown internet access in 2020 include Ethiopia, India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Burundi and others, campaigners say.

In a global reported publish February, Access Now said 213 incidents of internet shutdowns were recorded last year, 121 of which were in India. Venezuela, Yemen, Iraq, Algeria, and Ethiopia had the most shutdowns last year, it said.

Prolonged, more frequent and more targeted shutdowns were "a clear indication of the grave situation people are facing in the blunt and extended denial of their right to access information and freely express themselves," the report said.

#KeepItOn campaigner Felicia Anthonio in this video explains why campaigners are urging governments to stop restricting internet access, often in the name of public order or national security.

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