Internet shutdowns across Africa in 2023
In a series of notable events throughout 2023, various African countries faced deliberate internet disruptions, shedding light on the complex mix of technology, politics, and social issues.
Reasons ranging from political turmoil and social unrest to exam-related concerns and religious tensions underscore the varied reasons behind internet disruptions in Africa, a recent report by Top10vpn indicates.
The impact on citizens and the increasing demand for VPN services highlight the challenges posed by such measures.
Government-initiated internet outages often manifest in two primary forms: total internet blackouts and social media blocks. In addition to these methods, another censorship tactic gaining prevalence is internet throttling. This approach involves intentionally limiting internet speeds to such an extent that more advanced forms of communication, such as live-streaming videos depicting protests or human rights abuses, become practically unfeasible.
The use of internet throttling serves as a nuanced strategy to control the flow of information and limit the impact of online activities that authorities find objectionable. A look at some of the key instances of blackouts throughout 2023.
Sudan
MTN, the Sudanese telecommunications operator, orchestrated a 10-hour internet shutdown in mid-April, attributing the move to the escalating conflict in the country's capital. Cumulatively, Sudan experienced 212 hours of internet blackouts in 2023, which cost the country $12.4 million.
Kenya
Telegram experienced intermittent blocks in Kenya for over a week in mid-November, linked to allegations of exam cheating. Authorities lifted the Telegram block after the conclusion of the national exams. Kenyans experienced 192 hours of internet shutdowns in 2023, costing the country 27 million dollars.
Mauritania
In early March, Mauritanian authorities cut off internet access for nearly a week during a search for four escaped prisoners. Later in May, the Chinguitel and Mattel networks were restricted over demonstrations in the country. These restrictions accounted for 482 hours of internet shutdown with a cost of $38.5 million
Guinea
The Guinean government implemented a three-day restriction on access to Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram in May ahead of planned protests. Social media platforms, including YouTube and Telegram, faced renewed restrictions in late November, with authorities providing no official statement on the ongoing blockade. With a total of 3,720 hours of internet shutdown and $47.4 million in costs.
Senegal
From June through August, Senegal experienced multiple internet blackouts and social media shutdowns. The disruptions, sparked initially by widespread protests, were followed by a significant surge in demand for VPN services which reached an unprecedented 60,000% increase. Senegal experienced 135 hours of internet shutdowns and 3,811 hours of social media shutdowns, costing the country $57.4 million.
AlgeriaAlgerian authorities resorted to nationwide internet shutdowns five times in June, each lasting 10 hours. These measures were taken to combat exam cheating. Cumulatively, 50 hours of internet shutdown and a cost of $101.9 million
Ethiopia
The Ethiopian government imposed restrictions on Facebook, YouTube, Telegram, and TikTok in early February due to religious tensions. These blocks remained in effect for over five months until they were lifted in July, leading to a staggering 3,651% increase in demand for VPN services. Additionally, an internet blackout in the northern region of Amhara occurred in early August in response to escalating tensions with the local militia, with partial restoration since November. These represent 3,414 hours of internet shutdowns, 11,496 hours of social media shutdowns, and a total cost of $1.59 billion.
Tanzania
In a move lasting a staggering 7,680 hours, the Tanzanian government enforced a social media shutdown in February. The targeted platform was none other than Clubhouse, a widely-used space among local activists. The cost of these internet restrictions tallied up to $2.8 million. As of the present publication, Clubhouse remains beyond reach for users, accentuating the prolonged impact of this governmental intervention.
Gabon
Gabon faced an 87-hour internet blackout, incurring a total cost of $5.4 million. This blackout initially arose during the late August presidential elections to control media coverage. However, the blackout persisted as the military orchestrated a coup. After four days, internet access was eventually reinstated. The consequences of this blackout reverberated in the realm of human rights, affecting the right to peaceful assembly, raising concerns of election interference, and impacting freedom of the press. These events underscore the intersection of technology, governance, and human rights in our interconnected world.
