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The Human Cost of Internet Shutdowns | Scott Carpenter
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Policy makers, human rights advocates, and tech professionals interested in digital freedom and internet censorship.
TL;DR
Internet shutdowns are increasingly used by governments to silence dissent and control populations. This talk explores the human impact of these disruptions, the technical challenges in detecting them, and the urgent need for international cooperation and policy frameworks to protect global digital access.
Key Takeaways
- Internet shutdowns have evolved from rare, total blackouts into sophisticated, widespread tools used by governments to silence dissent, control populations, and obscure their actions through technical throttling.
- The international community’s response to internet shutdowns has weakened over time, often failing to treat digital isolation with the same urgency or condemnation as physical violence against populations.
- Monitoring and documenting internet disruptions in real time is essential, as governments increasingly use partial or periodic shutdowns that are difficult to detect, measure, and subsequently condemn.
- Technological interventions, such as VPNs, shared proxy servers, and new internet standards, are vital for maintaining access to the open web, though they remain only a partial solution.
- Democratic nations must prioritize internet freedom by integrating it into their diplomatic agendas, establishing clear red lines, and potentially imposing sanctions on regimes that violate human rights through infrastructure interference.
- Effective resistance against shutdowns requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving civil society, the private sector, and governments to develop both technical defenses and robust, coordinated international policy responses.
In This Video
- 00:00The Human Cost of Shutdowns
Scott Carpenter introduces the severe impact of internet shutdowns, drawing on personal experiences from the Arab Spring to highlight the resulting fear and isolation.
- 01:18Rising Trends in Digital Suppression
Internet shutdowns are becoming more frequent and widespread as governments use them to silence dissent, often facing little international pushback compared to physical violence.
- 03:46Detecting and Mitigating Digital Censorship
Jigsaw and its partners are developing tools and monitoring techniques to detect sophisticated throttling and keep the open web accessible during government-imposed disruptions.
- 05:51Building International Accountability
Technology alone is insufficient; democratic nations must collaborate to raise the political and economic costs for governments that interfere with internet infrastructure.
- 08:48Preserving the Open Internet
Despite various digital threats, maintaining an open internet remains essential for global advocacy, free expression, and the work of activists worldwide.
- 10:34Defining and Understanding Internet Shutdowns
Experts define an internet shutdown as an intentional disruption of access, often justified by governments under the guise of national security or order.
Questions & Answers
What is an internet shutdown?
An internet shutdown is an intentional disruption of internet access that renders it unusable or inaccessible, targeting a specific location, group of people, or even specific services and apps to control populations or silence dissent.
Why do governments shut down the internet?
Governments often use internet shutdowns as a tool to silence dissent, control populations, or suppress protests. They frequently justify these actions under the guise of national security, restoring peace and order, or preventing the spread of misinformation and hate speech.
How do internet shutdowns affect people?
Shutdowns create fear and uncertainty by severing a person's lifeline to family, friends, and the workplace. Beyond losing communication, people lose access to vital information, which can endanger their lives during times of crisis.
What is throttling in the context of internet censorship?
Throttling is a sophisticated blocking technique used by governments to intentionally slow down internet connections. This makes it significantly more difficult for researchers to detect, measure, and condemn these disruptions.
How can we mitigate the impact of internet shutdowns?
Impact can be mitigated through technical approaches like using virtual private networks (VPNs) and shared proxy servers to maintain access to the open web. Additionally, monitoring, documenting, and highlighting shutdowns helps raise the international cost for governments that implement them.
Key Terms
- Internet Shutdown — An intentional disruption of internet access targeting a specific location, group, or service to render it inaccessible or unusable.
- Throttling — A sophisticated technique used to intentionally slow down internet connections, making it harder to detect and measure government-imposed disruptions.
- Keep It On — A grassroots movement consisting of over 240 organizations across 105 countries that advocates against internet shutdowns through technical and legal support.