Understanding the unfolding of internet shutdowns is crucial as they increasingly serve as tools for authoritarian governments and other entities to suppress dissent, control information, and violate human rights. As these tactics become more sophisticated and widespread, particularly during political unrest and elections, knowledge of circumvention methods is vital for ensuring access to essential information, protecting freedom of expression, and enabling communication among communities and activists. This awareness helps safeguard democratic processes, human rights, and the free flow of information.
Authored by Herbert Mba Aki, Hernán Alberro, Evan Fioozi and Xiao Qiang, the policy brief shines a light over what governments, international organizations and democracy activists should take into account when trying to counteract this scourge.
