Islamabad, Jan 4: A report by Top10VPN highlights the devastating economic impact of government-imposed internet shutdowns in 2024, amounting to $7.69 billion globally.
Pakistan Tops the List
Pakistan incurred the highest losses, with damages reaching $1.62 billion, followed by Myanmar at $1.58 billion and Sudan at $1.12 billion. These shutdowns are often used to manage civil unrest, political protests, elections, and even prevent exam cheating, severely affecting economic and civil liberties.
Global Trends
While 2024’s losses were less than 2022’s record $24.61 billion, several alarming trends emerged:
- 28 nations implemented internet blackouts, the most on record.
- 167 major outages disrupted 648.4 million people for a total of 88,788 hours, a 12% increase in cumulative duration from 2023.
- However, social media blockades declined compared to previous years.
Expert Insights
Simon Migliano, Head of Research at Top10VPN, noted that high-profile shutdowns, like Pakistan’s block on X (formerly Twitter), received significant attention, whereas prolonged blackouts in Myanmar and Azerbaijan were less discussed.
As governments continue to wield internet shutdowns as a control mechanism, the economic and social toll remains a critical concern globally.
