Governments around the world shut down the internet more than 50 times in 2016 – suppressing elections, slowing economies and limiting free speech

[bigheadfred]

United Nations: Governments around the world shut down the internet more than 50 times in 2016 – suppressing elections, slowing economies and limiting free speech.

In the worst cases internet shutdowns have been associated with human rights violations, Deji Olukotun, senior global advocacy manager at digital rights organisation Access Now told IPS.

“What we have found is that internet shutdowns go hand in hand with atrocities,” said Olukotun.

However governments do not seem to have taken into account the potential repercussions of the shutdowns, beyond the limits of free speech.

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Internet shutdowns in 2016 cost India $968 million, Saudi Arabia, $465 million and Morocco $320 million due to reduced economic activity.

https://thewire.in/90591/governments-shut-down-internet-50-times-2016/