WorldPolitics

When telcos shut down the internet, they shut down protests for the government

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 07/10/2026, 04:45:25 UTC.

Briefings

Global Voices reports that telecom companies in Africa, including MTN and Vodacom, have shut down internet access during protests to avoid government crackdowns. Between 2016 and 2025, the #Keepiton coalition documented over 100 such shutdowns across the continent. In the DRC, the 2021 and 2026 elections saw internet throttling, while MTN allegedly enabled the General Directorate of Presidential Security to share dissenting information with the government. The article highlights a lack of transparency regarding spectrum and licensing agreements, complicating accountability for these actions.

Key points

• Between 2016 and 2025, the #Keepiton coalition documented over 100 internet shutdowns across Africa during periods of unrest.
• In the DRC, the 2021 and 2026 presidential elections were marked by internet throttling and subsequent violence.

Context

Telecom companies in Africa increasingly use internet shutdowns to suppress dissent, with the #Keepiton coalition tracking over 100 incidents between 2016 and 2025. The article examines how these closures, often under government pressure, allow dissent to migrate online, creating accountability gaps for companies like MTN and Vodacom.

Limitations

The evidence covers only African countries, with specific data limited to the 2016-2025 period and 2026 election context. Uncertainty exists regarding the exact number of shutdowns and the precise causal links between specific companies and human rights violations.

Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 19/10/2026, 00:18:45 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.

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