SHUTDOWN
WATCH

Monitoring and documenting

internet shutdowns in Bangladesh.

Ongoing: 0

Total: 0

Last: ;

Total

Blackouts

Network

Throttlings

Platform

Blockages

Shutdown Logs

Time	Location	Impact	Shutdown Type	Affected Network	Official Cause	Source

Notes

What is an
Internet Shutdown?

An internet shutdown is an intentional disruption of internet or electronic communications, rendering them inaccessible or effectively unusable, for a specific population or within a location, often to exert control over the flow of information. It happens when someone – usually a government – intentionally disrupts the internet or two-way digital communication platforms to control what people say or do.

We Support #KeepItOn

In 2016, Access Now united organizations under the #KeepItOn campaign to combat internet shutdowns, a common tool for repressing civil society and restricting freedoms. With 220 global members, the campaign has successfully opposed shutdowns in various countries and heightened awareness of the issue internationally.

Types of Shutdowns

Blackout -

A complete cut-off of all major internet communication channels, including broadband and mobile data services. This type of shutdown entirely blocks access to online information, preventing people from using key internet services to communicate.

Throttling +

The deliberate slowing of internet speeds, often reducing connectivity from 4G or higher to 3G or 2G. While the internet remains accessible, the severe drop in speed makes it difficult to use web services effectively, obstructing communication for those relying on the internet.

Platform Blocking +

The targeted blocking of specific platforms, such as social media or messaging apps. Social media serves as a virtual community space where people share and interact. Blocking major social media services disrupts the core function of the internet—communication.

Help Us!

Let's ensure
connection together!

How are the data collected? -

We gather data through a comprehensive, two-step process. First, we collect information from news reports, firsthand user accounts, volunteer testers, and official sources, including government and telecom operators. We also use data from organizations that monitor internet disruptions, such as NetBlocks, Cloudflare Radar, and Internet Society Pulse. In the second step, the collected data is cross-verified with independent sources and reviewed by experts before being added to the dashboard. We used reports from Internews’ Optima and Access Now to list many past shutdown records.

How do we structure the classification of internet shutdown data? +

To ensure our data is clear and easy to interpret, we classify shutdowns based on location, impact, type, affected network, and official cause. For location, we use the divisions of Bangladesh. In the impact category, we define shutdowns as countrywide when they affect the entire nation, and local when limited to a specific region. The type of shutdown is categorized as blackout, meaning a complete loss of internet connectivity, throttling, when the internet is intentionally slowed down, and platform blocking, where access to popular communication platforms is restricted by the government. Affected networks are classified as either mobile or broadband. The official cause represents the government’s stated reason for the shutdown.