Government-ordered internet shutdowns are measures designed to restrict access to certain online services such as social media platforms. Such measures are often taken during elections to suppress anti-government protests or criticism, to influence elections, and to conceal human rights violations with the support of companies that provide censorship technology.
The rising number of these internet shutdowns is a source of concern as they violate human rights, including the right to freedom of expression and to peaceful assembly, restrict access to information, and cause disruption in increasingly digital societies.
In November 2019, Switzerland became a member of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC), a coalition of 34 states committed to promoting freedom of expression, association and assembly as well as the protection of privacy on the internet throughout the world.
The coalition’s member states are committed to working together diplomatically to voice their concerns over measures designed to restrict internet freedom, particularly at the multilateral level, and to support those people whose online human rights are violated. They, therefore, prioritize three primary activity areas:
- Diplomatic coordination between members, as well as with external stakeholders (companies, civil society, academia) that share the coalition’s objectives
- Shaping of global norms on human rights online through joint statements
- Multi-party engagement: organization of regular meetings
In May 2020, Switzerland contributed to a joint statement by the FOC to warn of the risks posed by certain measures taken by governments in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the use of arbitrary or illegal surveillance practices, network shutdowns, and censorship. A whole series of human rights are affected by these measures (economic, social, and cultural rights etc.)
Switzerland’s commitment to combat the rise in state-sponsored internet shutdowns and disruptions also includes support from the Peace and Human Rights Division of the FDFA (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) for the #KeepItOn campaign run by the NGO Access Now since the start of 2020. The aim of #KeepItOn is to strengthen strategic preventive action for a rapid response to internet-related human rights violations in the context of elections across the world.
In 2020, the NGO Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition recorded at least 155 internet shutdowns in 29 countries. Hundreds of millions of people were, therefore, cut off from the world during the COVID-19 pandemic, losing access to vital health information, education, and employment opportunities. For example, 100 million people endured a national internet shutdown in Ethiopia lasting over two weeks at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total internet blackout is just one of the many forms that a shutdown can take. Most often, governments shut down mobile internet or social media platforms. That is what happened on February 1, 2021, in Myanmar, when telecommunications companies were ordered to block some social media platforms and IP addresses. Another restrictive measure involves downgrading the 4G/3G connection to 2G, which prevents downloading, sending, or sharing of content.
Switzerland’s membership of the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) and its support for the #KeepItOn campaign are in line with and illustrate the government’s efforts to support the protection and promotion of Internet freedoms worldwide.
