Internet access, social media shutdowns cost world over US$8 billion in 2019

There were 122 such shutdowns, with a total duration of 18,225 hours, that occurred in 21 countries last year

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Iraqi students pose for selfies with a member of the security forces during anti-government protests in the central city of Diwaniyah on October 31. Iraq’s economy was hit hard by major internet and social media shutdowns imposed by the country’s government last year, according to a report by Top10VPN.com. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:00am, 9 Jan 2020Updated: 9:49pm, 16 Feb 2020

The total economic cost of major internet access and social media shutdowns around the world topped US$8 billion last year, according to a new report, which predicted that these disruptions would continue amid ongoing political turmoil.

There were 122 such shutdowns, with a total duration of 18,225 hours, that occurred in 21 countries last year, according to data published on Tuesday by Top10VPN.com, a London-based website that reviews virtual private network services.

“Internet blackouts bring the entire digital economy to a standstill,” Samuel Woodhams, digital rights lead at Top10VPN, said in an email. “They also cause lasting damage by contributing to a loss of investor confidence and hurt the informal economy by disrupting the flow of money enabled by social media platforms and mobile money transactions.”

The Middle East and North Africa region recorded the most costly disruptions, totalling US$3.1 billion last year, the report said. It cited as an example the internet blackouts initiated in Iraq and Iran to stifle widespread anti-government protests.

The findings of the Top10VPN report come as government-led internet shutdown activities continue unabated around the world. A number of countries have already formally legislated internet controls.

Russia, for instance, passed a “sovereign internet” law that took effect on November 1, letting the government block internet traffic from outside the country in an emergency and requiring service providers to filter and divert traffic.