Bangladesh is currently facing a complete internet shutdown as the government tries to control the ongoing student protests that have resulted in the deaths of at least 32 people. The protests are primarily against the quota system in the country, which reserves a third of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought for Bangladesh’s independence in 1971.
The situation escalated on Thursday in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, where thousands of protestors stormed the state broadcaster BTV, causing destruction and setting offices on fire. This resulted in the tragic deaths of 17 people during clashes with the police. To manage the unrest, the Bangladeshi authorities decided to shut down internet and phone access across the country, a common tactic in South Asia to prevent the spread of rumors and misinformation.
Internet shutdowns have become a prevalent method used by governments worldwide to suppress conflicts. In 2023 alone, there were over 160 internet shutdowns in 39 countries for various reasons such as protests, exams, and elections. Bangladesh has a history of employing internet blackout as a means to silence political opposition and activists. In fact, in 2022, Bangladesh was the fifth-largest perpetrator of internet shutdowns, according to Access Now.
The country’s civic space was downgraded to “closed” by CIVICUS Monitor at the end of 2023 due to the frequent internet shutdowns imposed by the government. Despite a pledge by the telecom regulator to maintain internet access during the general elections in early 2024, access to news websites was blocked during the electoral period.
This recent internet shutdown in Bangladesh highlights a growing trend of governments using digital censorship to control the flow of information and suppress dissent. As internet shutdowns continue to increase globally, it raises concerns about the impact on freedom of speech and access to information in the digital age. The situation in Bangladesh serves as a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play when governments restrict internet access to maintain control over the narrative.
