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Service Disruptions, App Restrictions, and Attacks on Digital Freedom Intensify Globally
Mobile network shutdowns are increasingly being weaponized by governments worldwide to silence opposition and control information during politically sensitive periods, according to new findings from Freedom House.
In Zambia’s 2016 presidential election, authorities disrupted mobile broadband for up to 72 hours in opposition strongholds following allegations of electoral fraud. Similar tactics were employed in Gambia, where networks were shut down on the eve of the December 2016 presidential election, though this failed to prevent the defeat of longtime ruler Yahya Jammeh after 22 years in power.
Even in cases where shutdowns appear more benign, such as during public festivals in the Philippines, experts warn that normalizing such measures establishes dangerous precedents. While these Philippine shutdowns were limited in scope and communicated to the public, they legitimize disproportionate restrictions on expression that can be leveraged for more sinister purposes later.
Beyond complete network shutdowns, governments are increasingly targeting specific applications. WhatsApp was the most frequently restricted communication tool, facing disruptions in 12 of 65 countries studied. Turkish authorities regularly throttled WhatsApp traffic during politically charged events, effectively rendering it unusable, while Zimbabwe blocked the service entirely during major anti-government protests.
Economic tactics have also emerged as an indirect method of restricting digital access. Following WhatsApp’s restoration in Zimbabwe, authorities reportedly increased mobile data costs by 500 percent to limit further organizing. Similarly, in India’s troubled Jammu and Kashmir region, authorities frequently suspend prepaid mobile data plans, disproportionately affecting low-income residents.
Live video streaming has become a particular target for censorship, with restrictions or attacks documented in at least nine countries. In Armenia, police physically assaulted journalist Davit Harutyunyan and destroyed his equipment to prevent him from broadcasting footage of police violence against other journalists during anti-government demonstrations.
The technology has proven especially valuable in countries with restricted traditional media. During Iran’s 2017 elections, reformist supporters of President Hassan Rouhani turned to Instagram Live to bypass state broadcaster IRIB’s near-monopoly on broadcast media. This strategy proved so effective that authorities temporarily blocked Instagram’s streaming protocol.
Government censors have adapted their tactics accordingly. Bahrain’s information ministry instituted an outright ban on news websites streaming live video in July 2016. Venezuelan regulators ordered service providers to block three websites broadcasting massive anti-government protests in April 2017. Russian authorities cut electricity to opposition leader Aleksey Navalny’s office during anti-corruption protests, silencing his YouTube channel Navalny Live.
Cyberattacks have also emerged as a preferred method for suppressing independent voices online. Technical attacks against government critics were documented in 34 of 65 countries assessed, up from 25 in the previous year. These attacks represent the second most common form of internet control, behind only arrests for political or social content.
In Azerbaijan, the independent news platform Abzas was hit with distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks traced to government institutions. Venezuelan civil society organizations reported a surge in attacks in early 2017, including against Acción Solidaria, an organization supporting people with HIV/AIDS, temporarily preventing them from distributing crucial information about medicine availability.
Targeted surveillance of journalists and activists is also rising, with victims reportedly having their devices or accounts hacked in at least 17 countries. In Egypt, the “Nile Phish” campaign attempted to obtain sensitive information from human rights organizations through deceptive emails. In Mexico, journalists, human rights lawyers, and activists received personalized messages containing NSO spyware, which is marketed exclusively to government agencies.
Rather than protecting citizens from these threats, at least six countries—China, Hungary, Russia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam—have passed laws that may require companies or individuals to break encryption, offering officials backdoor access to confidential communications. UN Special Rapporteur David Kaye has emphasized that encryption and anonymity are essential for upholding free expression and privacy rights.
Physical violence against online journalists and activists represents another disturbing trend, with attacks reported in 30 countries, up from 20 previously. In eight countries, people were murdered for their online writing, with such killings occurring in Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, and Syria for three consecutive years.
As digital repression techniques evolve and spread globally, the struggle between governments seeking control and citizens demanding freedom continues to define the digital landscape.
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8 Comments
The use of network shutdowns and app restrictions during elections is particularly alarming, as it deprives citizens of access to vital information and communication channels at the most critical times. These tactics must be condemned and countered through strong international norms and domestic legislation.
Absolutely. Ensuring open and transparent elections is fundamental to a healthy democracy. Governments that resort to these disruptive tactics should face serious consequences from the global community.
While the shutdowns in the Philippines may have seemed more benign, the broader trend is deeply concerning. Normalizing such measures, even in limited contexts, can too easily lead to their abuse for political ends. We must be vigilant in protecting digital rights, no matter the pretext.
This is a troubling trend that undermines democratic freedoms. Governments using network shutdowns and app restrictions to control information and silence opposition is a serious threat to digital rights. We must remain vigilant against these tactics that erode the foundations of open society.
Agreed. Such disruptions set dangerous precedents and can escalate into more severe censorship and repression. Protecting digital freedom of expression should be a top priority for policymakers worldwide.
This is a troubling development that highlights the ongoing battle to maintain open and secure digital spaces. While the specific tactics may vary, the underlying goal of these disruptions is to restrict access to information and stifle dissent. We must remain vigilant and united in defending digital freedoms.
It’s alarming to see the growing prevalence of network shutdowns and app restrictions being used as tools of authoritarian control. These tactics directly undermine the free flow of information and the ability of citizens to engage in the democratic process. We must stand up to this erosion of digital freedoms.
Agreed. Governments that employ these disruptive measures to silence opposition and manipulate information should be held accountable by the international community. Protecting digital rights is crucial for the health of democracies worldwide.