During the first half of 2023, Pakistan ranked third in the world for imposing internet restrictions, according to a report by Surfshark, a virtual private network company based in Lithuania.
The analysis, based on the Internet Shutdown Tracker, revealed that Pakistan was responsible for three out of the 42 new restrictions imposed globally. These restrictions were put in place following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9.
During this period, access to popular social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube was restricted in Pakistan. Additionally, temporary disruptions in cellular networks were observed in various parts of the country for several days.
The Surfshark report ranked Iran and India as the top two countries leading in internet restrictions during the same period, with Iran witnessing the most disruptions, particularly during Friday protests in Zahedan over the Zahedan massacre. India closely trailed Iran with nine cases of internet shutdowns, mostly occurring during protests.
Notably, the report also highlighted two separate internet shutdowns in Jammu and Kashmir, ordered by the Indian government, which brought India’s count to 11 instances of internet restrictions in six months.
The main cause of government-imposed internet restrictions, as per the report, was protests related to social and political issues. More than two-thirds of the new disruptions, totaling 30 cases, were triggered by public outrage during periods of civil unrest.
The report also provided an overview of apps that faced restrictions in 2023. Facebook remained heavily restricted in multiple countries, including Pakistan, Ethiopia, Guinea, Senegal, and Suriname. Telegram, Instagram, and YouTube followed, each facing restrictions in four countries, while WhatsApp and Twitter faced restrictions in three countries.
Globally, there was a 31% decline in new internet disruption cases during the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.
However, the number of countries imposing these restrictions increased from 13 to 14. Asia was the region with the highest number of internet disruptions, accounting for 71% of new global cases. An estimated 2.35 billion people experienced internet censorship throughout the year.
Overall, the report highlighted the importance of the internet as the primary battleground for information during periods of civil unrest and emphasized the need for continued monitoring of internet shutdowns and restrictions around the world.