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

September 28, 2026

Across Africa, governments are increasingly using internet shutdowns and telecommunications restrictions to suppress protests and dissent, with approximately 100 shutdowns documented between 2016 and 2025. Telecommunications companies like MTN, Vodacom, Airtel, and Tigo have enabled these human rights violations by complying with government shutdown orders and sharing user data, often during times of political unrest and elections. The lack of transparency in these companies' operations, combined with documented financial relationships between telecom executives and government leaders, raises serious questions about whether they prioritize user rights or government demands.

Who is affected

Young protesters across the African continent from Cape Town to Cairo
Communities in Kinshasa (DRC) and Brazzaville (Republic of Congo) living along the Congo River
Dissidents targeted by the General Directorate of Presidential Security (DGSP) in Congo Brazzaville
Users of telecommunications services provided by MTN, Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo, Safaricom, and Zain across Africa and the Middle East
People needing to make life-saving phone calls to hospitals or law enforcement during shutdowns
Protesters in Myanmar affected by Telenor Norway's actions

What action is being taken

The #Keepiton coalition is reporting and documenting internet shutdowns across the continent
Organizations are pushing back and demanding accountability from tech companies
Research is being conducted on telcos including MTN and Vodacom's parent company Vodafone
Ranking Digital Rights is recording telecom policies and practices
Organizations are working together using research to inform protests, campaigns, advocacy, and litigation
A civil case has been filed against Telenor Norway regarding its role in deaths in Myanmar

Why it matters

Internet and telecommunications shutdowns represent a critical threat to fundamental human rights including freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom from arbitrary detention. These shutdowns not only silence political dissent and hamper protesters' ability to organize and communicate, but also have life-threatening consequences by preventing access to emergency services. The complicity of telecommunications companies in government crackdowns, combined with their lack of transparency and close relationships with authoritarian regimes, undermines their commitments under the UN Global Compact to respect human rights. As governments across Africa increasingly restrict physical spaces for protest, the ability to communicate online becomes essential for democratic participation, making corporate accountability in this sector a matter of democratic survival.

What's next

Organizations will continue to record telecom policies and practices even when networks are shut down
Ranking Digital Rights and partner organizations will continue holding tech companies accountable and demanding increased transparency
The civil case against Telenor Norway will proceed

Read full article from source: Global Voices