Vodafone has issued a warning that government-mandated internet and communications shutdowns are reaching record levels, causing significant social, security, and economic disruption.
The report, titled Network Shutdowns in a Connected World, indicates that deliberate restrictions on connectivity have reached unprecedented scales. Data from Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented at least 313 shutdowns across 52 countries in 2025.
According to the findings, full internet blackout hours increased by 47% compared to the previous year, while hours spent under social media platform restrictions rose by 66%. These disruptions impacted approximately 800 million people globally.
The economic consequences are estimated to be nearly $20 billion, with a disproportionate effect on low- and middle-income nations. The report notes that such shutdowns interfere with essential services, including healthcare, education, emergency communications, financial systems, and cybersecurity monitoring.
To address the issue, Vodafone has proposed a Transparent Governance Framework. This proposal suggests that any connectivity restrictions must adhere to strict standards of legality, necessity, proportionality, and accountability.
The company is calling for the implementation of specific safeguards, such as written shutdown orders, independent oversight, and regular reviews. The framework also recommends allowing for judicial challenges and requiring public reporting to ensure that network shutdowns are used only as a narrowly targeted, time-limited measure of last resort.
