This report is part of the #KeepItOwn campaign of Access Now. In 2021, authorities deliberately shut down the internet at least 182 times across 34 countries. This exposes a dramatic increase in the use of this oppressive form of control compared to 159 shutdowns recorded in 29 countries in 2020.

In the report, Access Now breaks down where and how authorities used internet shutdowns to stifle populations during protests, political turmoil, coups, elections, wars and conflict, and school exams throughout the course of last year.