January 14 — Presidential & Governors

What happened:

Authorities in Comoros imposed its first internet shutdown in an attempt to quell post-election protests which erupted after authorities announced President Azali Assoumani had won another term. Data from our internet traffic measurement partners Cloudflare Radar and IODA confirmed the shutdown, which began at 09:00 UTC on January 17, 2024, and impacted the main internet service provider, Comores Telecom.

February 25 — Presidential election

UPDATE: As of February 3, 2024, Senegal’s President Macky Sall postponed the election indefinitely. We will continue watch the situation as it develops.

Why we’re watching:

Authorities in Senegal have recently joined the list of countries wielding shutdowns to muzzle expression and dissent during key national crises. In 2023 alone, the government imposed two incidents of mobile internet shutdowns and a TikTok ban to quell protests in the country. The government also blocked social media and messaging apps amid deadly riots across the country in 2021. 

With a highly contested election approaching, we strongly urge Senegal’s authorities to uphold the right to information and safeguard freedom of expression throughout the election period.

By March — Presidential election

Why we’re watching:

In February 2020, Togolese authorities blocked access to social media platforms and messaging services on election day. This wasn’t the first time the internet had been disrupted in the country. In September 2017, when anti-government protests erupted in the country, the Togo government flipped the kill switch to quell the planned protests. Activists, journalists, and individuals in and outside Togo successfully challenged the 2017 internet shutdowns at the ECOWAS court, which ruled in their favor in July 2020 that the shutdown was illegal and an affront to freedom of expression.

We urge the authorities to refrain from interfering with access to the internet and digital communications throughout the electoral season in March. 

October — General election

Why we’re watching:

Chad is a repeat offender, having shut down the internet multiple times over the years. From 2018 to 2019, Chad cut access to major social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, for a total of 472 days, citing “security reasons” as justification. With Chad expected to head to the polls in by October 2024, our focus will be on the nation to #KeepItOn.

October — Local elections

Why we’re watching:

Tanzania’s Magufuli-led government implemented the first shutdown during the 2020 general election. Prior to disrupting internet access, the government re-introduced the infamous Electronic and Postal Communications (Online Contents) Regulations which, among other repressive provisions, outlawed the use of circumvention tools such as virtual private networks (VPNs). In October 2023, the Tanzania Communication Regulatory Authority (TCRA) again issued a directive which threatened to ban the use of VPNs if people and institutions failed to declare them. As the country prepares for local government elections later this year and for general elections in 2025, such directives must be condemned by all and pressure mounted on the government of Tanzania to refrain from restricting access to open and secure internet and digital communications. 

November — Presidential election

Why we’re watching:

Guinea Bissau has no history of internet shutdowns, but activists have documented measures put in place by the government to limit press freedom and freedom of expression. The current political situation is tense, as the country has experienced numerous military coups and instability in the past years, and President Umaro Sissoco Embalo dissolved the parliament following the most recent coup attempt in December 2023. Maintaining access to information and keeping channels of communication open are essential for people in periods of political uncertainty. With presidential elections expected late in 2024 and parliamentary elections yet to be scheduled, authorities and service providers must commit to #KeepItOn.

December — General election

Why we’re watching:

Ghana remains one of the exemplary countries that has never subjected its people to deliberate internet disruptions during important national events, unlike neighboring countries in West Africa. However, the proposed national framework guiding use of social media during elections and various government initiatives to combat mis- and disinformation adopt a more heavy-handed approach that could threaten free expression. Minister of National Security Albert Kan Dapaah raised concerns  about mis- and disinformation being used to undermine electoral integrity. He also accused academia, civil society, and the media in Ghana of actively exploiting their influence on social media to disseminate misinformation that threatens the nation’s peace and stability. Governments across the globe have often justified decisions to shut down the internet and block specific platforms by pointing to the need to combat mis- and disinformation during political events such elections or protests. 

We will keep an eye on developments in Ghana and engage with the authorities to ensure unrestricted internet access for all throughout the December elections and beyond.

December — General election

Why we’re watching:

In August 2021, the government of South Sudan shut down internet access for several hours following calls for protests and for resignation of president Salva Kiir by activists who accused him of corruption and failing to protect the population in the country. 

South Sudan is set to hold its first-ever presidential elections since independence – a critical moment for democracy for people to exercise their fundamental rights. We urge the government of South Sudan to #KeepItOn. 

February 7 — Presidential election

Why we’re watching:

The Azerbaijani government — led by President Ilham Aliyev, who took power in 2003 after his father ruled for more than a decade — has a long history of suppressing the free flow of information and silencing critical voices. In September 2020, police arrested dozens of protesters rallying against the imprisonment of a high-profile opposition leader. Ahead of the 2018 election, independent media outlets and civil society groups faced an onslaught of online attacks attempting to silence their dissent, and Azerbaijan has a growing record of internet shutdowns and slowdowns during moments of heightened political sensitivity.

February 25 — Parliamentary election

Why we’re watching:

Following mass protests against the outcome of the August 9, 2020 elections, which extended Aleksandr Lukashenko’s presidency for yet another term, his administration imposed a complete internet shutdown to crack down on protesters. Authorities disrupted internet access and blocked access to social media platforms and foreign news websites for several days, hindering the public’s access to crucial information and impeding their ability to mobilize and communicate.

With civic space dwindling in Belarus and dissenting voices including journalists, human rights defenders, and opposition leaders facing increasing repression, the international community must join our calls for an open and secure internet for the people of Belarus — a prerequisite for a free, fair, and inclusive democratic process. 

All telecommunication and internet service providers in Belarus must resist any orders from the government to shutdown the internet. 

March 15-17 — Presidential election

Why we’re watching:

Russia is a leading perpetrator of shutdowns both at home and abroad to silence dissent and perpetrate human rights abuses in times of conflict. Authorities continue to tighten their grip on people’s rights both online and offline through the imposition of shutdowns during critical national affairs. Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented incidents of shutdowns and censorship by the incumbent government during Russia’s 2021 parliamentary elections. For the outcome of the 2024 elections to be deemed acceptable, free, and fair, it is crucial for authorities to ensure unfettered access to the internet and digital platforms before, during,  and after the elections. 

December — Parliamentary election

Why we’re watching:

Uzbek authorities have a history of imposing internet shutdowns to quell protests and block the flow of information. In 2022, the government shut down mobile internet access in the Karakalpakstan region to block information about political protests. The disruption coincided with reports of crackdown and human rights violations against individuals and journalists working in the region. With parliamentary elections scheduled to take place late this year, we urge the government to refrain from denying people access to critical information and to #KeepItOn throughout the elections. 

March 1 — Legislative elections

Why we’re watching:

Iranian authorities have continuously used shutdowns as a weapon of control to silence dissenting voices and to cover-up heinous crimes committed against people across the country. In 2022, Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented at least 18 cases of shutdowns, a majority of which coincided with massive protests against the killing of Mahsa Jina Amini. Last year, the Iranian government continued its track record of shutting down the internet during critical national events. With legislative elections scheduled for March 2024, we call on the government of Iran to refrain from imposing shutdowns or any form of censorship during and beyond the elections, and for the international community to reinforce this message. 

June 22 — Presidential election

Why we’re watching:

Mauritanian authorities have a history of deploying internet shutdowns during crucial periods. Most recently, authorities disrupted mobile internet access on March 6, 2023, which coincided with four individuals’ escape from prison in Nouakchott. The government did not provide an explanation as to why the internet was disrupted. In 2019, authorities restricted internet access after a fiercely contested presidential election. Authorities in Mauritania must not repeat these actions in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. 

November 13 — Presidential election

Why we’re watching:

The #KeepItOn coalition first recorded an internet shutdown in Somaliland in 2017, a period marked by political turbulence. There have been several subsequent shutdowns, often aligning with electoral processes, demonstrations, or other critical events. In August 2022, journalists in Somaliland reported an internet shutdown that started at around 06:00 local time as protesters from the opposition and general public gathered in various locations, including Hargeisa and Burao.

Disrupting internet access during election periods undermines people’s ability to make informed decisions and fully shape their nation’s future. As the people of Somaliland vote this year, we appeal to the government and all stakeholders to ensure unfettered access to the internet and digital platforms.

November — General election

Why we’re watching:

In Jordan, authorities have repeatedly blocked social media platforms to quell protests and unrest. In 2022, we documented four incidents of shutdowns in the country amid protests. For instance, when protests against rising fuel prices by truck drivers erupted, authorities began blocking mobile internet as well as TikTok, which was being used to livestream the protests. Jordanian officials also imposed shutdowns targeting Facebook Live during protests against COVID-19 restrictions in 2021. They also blocked Clubhouse, the social media audio chat platform which remains blocked, while the government also intensified blocking of VPNs across the country. 

The recent adoption of a cybercrime law that gives the government unwavering powers to control online content, coupled with its history of using shutdowns, both point to a heightened risk of a shutdown during the upcoming general elections. While the authorities did not shut down the internet during the 2020 elections, the country’s repeated disruption of the internet restricting access to information during critical national events raises concerns. 

We urge the Jordanian government to #KeepItOn throughout elections in November.

December — Presidential election

Why we’re watching:

Algerian authorities have a history of imposing internet shutdowns during exams, recurring annually for the past seven years. They have resorted to these measures during the high school diploma examinations to prevent cheating, including by blocking social media platforms like Facebook, X, and WhatsApp to stop the leakage of exam questions. This pattern is a flagrant violation of fundamental human rights, including access to information and freedom of opinion and expression online, and must not be allowed to impact other moments of national importance.

As the country prepares for its presidential election, we call upon the government to refrain from any internet shutdown or censorship.