On the Somewhere on Earth podcast this week with Gareth_Mitchell; #internetshutdowns , who, what, why + where with NetBlocks director Alp Toker. Ania J Lichtarowicz answers listener questions and comments.

somewhereonearth.buzzsprout.com

⚠ Confirmed: Live network data show a new collapse in connectivity in the #Gaza Strip with high impact to Paltel, the last remaining major operator serving the territory; the incident will be experienced as the third telecommunications blackout since the start of the conflict 📉

Fascinating interview from Steven Overly with Palestinian activist Nour Swirki and NetBlocks director Alp Toker about the disruption to Internet access in Gaza:

politico-tech.simplecast.com/episodes/what-…

⚠ Confirmed: Live network data show a collapse in connectivity in the #Gaza Strip with high impact to Paltel, amid reports of heavy bombardment; the company is the last remaining major operator to supply service as connectivity declines amid ongoing fighting with Israel 📉

Interesting

⚠️ Confirmed: Live network data show a nation-scale internet blackout is now in effect across #Gabon on election day; authorities claim the measure is intended to 'prevent the spread of calls for violence' as a curfew is imposed 📉

📰 Read more: netblocks.org/reports/intern…

⚠️ Confirmed: Live network data show a significant decline in internet connectivity in the Northwest Territories of #Canada amid reports of a massive outbreak of wildfires; the telecoms disruptions are likely to impact rescue and evacuation efforts 🔥📉

Important: In light of the ongoing telecom outages in Lahaina, Maui, it's crucial to remain patient if you're trying to reach loved ones in the region.

Connectivity challenges may make communication sporadic but rescue efforts are ongoing so don't lose hope. We continue to…

⚠️ Update: Live metrics indicate that Lahaina in Maui, Hawaii remains largely disconnected from the internet amid deadly wildfires; the outages are likely to impact rescue efforts with some trapped residents resorting to emergency satellite calls 📉 #MauiFires

🗓 Three years ago today, #Belarus plunged into digital darkness when authorities imposed a series of increasingly severe internet shutdowns and restrictions during the contested 2020 elections.

What happened?

Alexander Lukashenko, in a bid to grip onto power, throttled…

Luhansk's network disruption isn't just a technical glitch, it's a testament to the growing power and influence of cyber operations in the geopolitical landscape of an otherwise entrenched invasion. Expect to see more of this in coming months.

The UK's Electoral Commission has been hacked by hostile actors. Here's what you need to know:

• 🎯 Target: The Electoral Commission, the independent body overseeing elections & political finance.
• 📅 Timeline: Hackers first accessed systems in August 2021, breach identified…

Iraq has restricted Telegram over privacy concerns despite the platform's popularity, with users now relying on a VPN.

The move underscores global tensions between digital freedoms and state security measures.

🖊 Chiara Castro writes for TechRadar
techradar.com/computing/cybe…

⚠️ Confirmed: Metrics show the autonomous Kurdistan region of #Iraq has cut internet access between 6am-8am for a second day; the measure is imposed by the Ministry of Communications to 'prevent the leakage of high school exam questions' 📉

📰 Report: netblocks.org/reports/intern…

⚠️ Confirmed: Traffic data show mobile internet access has been suspended in #Senegal . The shutdown follows the arrest of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko, and is the latest in a series of mass-censorship measures imposed by the government 📵

📰 Report: netblocks.org/reports/social…

4.2B people experienced internet censorship in 2022 🤯 Internet restrictions are all around — they can affect anyone. Together with our NetBlocks, we prepared a Digital Survival Kit to help you in cases of an internet shutdown. Learn more in our video: youtube.com/watch?v=Ft-G4s…

🎙️ #Iran experienced a high frequency of curfew-style internet shutdowns in the first half of 2023.

On Twitter Spaces today, join us with journalist Natasha Phillips ناتاشا فیلیپس to explore the dynamics and human rights impacts of these digital blackouts #Zahedan #MahsaAmini

twitter.com/i/spaces/1BRJj…

Russia experienced a new wave of internet censorship as Wagner PMC turned on Moscow, followed by a spate of cyberattacks targeting Russian critical infrastructure.

But who's really responsible?

We take a look at the knowns and unknowns with @Surfshark ▶️
youtube.com/watch?v=fL0kvO…

Senegal, once seen as a stable democracy, has today shut down mobile internet for many users, presenting the country's harshest mass-censorship measure on record.

The internet shutdown comes just days after most mainstream social media platforms were restricted in the country.