In a startling report released by Surfshark, Pakistan has been ranked third in the world for imposing internet restrictions during the first half of 2023. The study analyzed data from the Internet Shutdown Tracker and revealed that Pakistan accounted for three out of the 42 new restrictions implemented worldwide.
The crackdown on internet access came shortly after the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on May 9, leading to temporary disruptions in popular platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Cell networks also experienced intermittent outages across the country.
The Surfshark report highlights that Iran and India top the list of countries with the most internet shutdowns during the same period. Iran witnessed 14 cases of internet disruptions during Friday protests, while India followed closely with nine cases, with an additional two cases reported in the conflicted region of Jammu and Kashmir.
Surprisingly, the report indicates that protests were the primary trigger for government-imposed internet restrictions, with social and political issues driving over two-thirds of the new disruptions worldwide.
Facebook faced heavy restrictions in multiple countries, while Telegram, Instagram, and YouTube were also subject to bans in various regions. WhatsApp and Twitter, too, experienced limitations in certain countries.
Despite a 31% decline in global internet disruption cases compared to the previous year, the number of countries imposing restrictions increased, with Asia being the focal point of most shutdowns. An estimated 2.35 billion people experienced internet censorship throughout the year, painting a concerning picture of internet freedom in the digital age.