What Constitutes an Internet Shutdown?
In the face of frequent internet shutdowns, governments often resort to blocking popular platforms and messaging apps to stifle communication and thwart protests. This deliberate strategy, affecting major social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram, has become a common tactic to prevent citizens from organizing and voicing dissent, especially before and during elections.
While internet service providers (ISPs) and telecommunication companies could potentially serve as allies against shutdowns, they often face challenges in engaging with civil society due to government orders and confidentiality clauses. The close ties between ISPs, telcos, and governments further diminish the likelihood of these entities pushing back against shutdown orders.
A recent needs assessment defines an “internet shutdown” broadly, encompassing internet blackouts, internet throttling, and major blocking of social media platforms and messaging applications.
1. Internet blackouts: when the government completely cuts off access to the internet
2. Internet throttling: when the network is deliberately slowed
3. Major instances of blocking: when major social media platforms and messaging applications are blocked
The threat is substantial, with 58% of surveyed regional/national organizations reporting an internet shutdown in their country in the past year, and 61% anticipating another shutdown in the coming year.
Respondents express particular concern about bandwidth throttling, rating it as the most likely type of shutdown. This tactic, especially effective during protests and elections, hampers the circulation of media requiring higher bandwidth, hindering the dissemination of crucial information.
To navigate an impending internet shutdown or to maintain control over your data, consider the following steps:
#PRVCYTips
Set up your phone
Take precautions to protect your apps and documentation from prying eyes.
Implement basic phone security measures.
Create offline documentation for essential information
Installing/sharing apps without internet:
Explore methods for installing and sharing apps in the absence of internet connectivity, apps like the list below allow you to share documents and media without internet.
1. Sharing with Bluetooth, Wifi Direct, and Nearby Share:
Utilize local sharing options for spreading information.
Croc – Easily and securely send things from one computer to another.
Localsend – Share files to nearby devices. Free, open source, cross-platform.
Use Peer 2 Peer tools for communication and sharing:
Creating a serverless operation ensures direct peer-to-peer communication without intermediary servers, this eliminates points of failure or centralized control. While the absence of servers may lead to reduced features and slower messaging, this setup is the optimal choice for critical conversations where reliability and decentralized communication are paramount.
Briar – Peer-to-peer encrypted messaging and forums.
Tinfoil Chat Onion-routed, endpoint secure messaging system.
Circumventing blocked sites: VPNs and DNS servers:
Familiarize yourself with tools like Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and Domain Name System (DNS) servers to access blocked sites.
Being prepared and informed empowers individuals and communities to resist the impact of internet shutdowns, ensuring the flow of information and the ability to connect even in challenging circumstances.
Reminder: prepare while you have internet access:
Be proactive in preparing for potential shutdowns while you still have internet access.
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