Imagine this: a group of students in Dhaka, Bangladesh, takes to the streets, protesting a controversial policy affecting public sector jobs. Initially peaceful, the protests soon spiral into chaos, resulting in deaths and injuries. The government intervenes, police crack down, and to your horror, the internet goes dark—shut down by the government for five agonising days. This isn’t a dystopian fiction; it happened on July 18th, 2024.
The internet shutdown in Bangladesh wasn’t an isolated incident. In 2023, there were a record 283 internet shutdowns worldwide, according to Access Now. While many may think this only happens in far-off countries with oppressive regimes, the mechanisms to enforce such shutdowns exist in Western nations too, including the UK and Australia.
In China, the internet was cut off for 312 days in the Xinjiang region in 2009 to curb riots. Russia’s 2019 Sovereign Internet Law allows the government to isolate the internet from the rest of the world. In the UK, the Communications Act of 2003 and the Civil Contingencies Act of 2004 give the government emergency powers to suspend the internet. The US attempted something similar with the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010, which ultimately failed to pass.
The rationale for these shutdowns often includes curbing misinformation or maintaining national security. However, the consequences are dire. After Libya’s devastating flood in 2023, the city of Derna experienced a complete internet blackout. Initially thought to be due to the disaster, it was revealed that the government shut down the internet to stifle criticism of its crisis management.
In Australia, the Telecommunications Act of 1997 grants significant authority to the government to halt internet access in the interest of national security. This was amended in 2003, post-9/11, to empower the Attorney General to direct carriers to kill the internet. While the language was later softened, the power remains.
Malaysia recently announced plans to implement an internet kill switch for “digital security,” a thinly veiled excuse for potential government overreach. Around 39 countries have completely shut down internet access at some point, highlighting a global trend.
The UN declared internet access a human right in 2016, deeming internet shutdowns illegal. Yet, there’s no binding international law to prevent governments from pulling the plug. In Bangladesh, the shutdown aimed to stop misinformation, but it caused immense economic damage. According to NetBlocks, the five-day shutdown cost Bangladesh around $393 million.
Beyond financial loss, the human impact is severe. Over a million freelancers in Bangladesh rely on the internet for their livelihood. Hospitals, banks, and other critical sectors also suffer, disrupting daily life.
The idea of an internet shutdown isn’t limited to authoritarian regimes. Even Western countries have the mechanisms in place. The question is, what can be done to prevent such draconian measures? One solution is satellite internet, like Starlink, but this requires significant government cooperation and regulation. Another is decentralized mesh networks, allowing devices to connect directly without a central ISP.
Perhaps the most viable long-term solution is to enshrine internet access as a fundamental human right. It may sound far-fetched now, but in 50 years, we might be grateful for such protections. In a world rife with misinformation and unrest, there must be better ways to address these issues without shutting down the entire internet.
So, what do you think about government-enforced internet shutdowns? How can we ensure the internet remains accessible and free from undue external pressures? Your thoughts are welcome as we navigate this complex issue.