The agency noted that 2024 was the worst year on record for internet outages since 2016, citing data from civil society monitoring group Access Now.
He warned that the trend has continued until 2026, with general closures already imposed in several countries facing major demonstrations or electoral processes.
“Access to information is an integral part of the universal right to freedom of expression,” UNESCO said, highlighting that Internet connectivity is also essential for other rights, including education, freedom of association and assembly, and participation in social, cultural and political life.
He called on governments to adopt policies that facilitate access rather than erecting barriers to connectivity.
Internet disruptions also fuel misinformation. When journalists, media outlets and public authorities are deprived of digital channels, it becomes more difficult to access verified information, creating space for the spread of rumors and unverified content.
Closures during protests and elections
Recent months have seen a series of high-profile internet shutdowns and digital restrictions imposed amid political unrest.
In January 2026, the authorities of Iran imposed a near-total nationwide blackout during the new protests, sharply restricting online communications. Connectivity monitors reported that traffic fell to minimal levels, disrupting businesses and severely limiting the ability of citizens, journalists, and civil society groups to share information.
In AfghanistanThe Taliban ordered a national lockdown in September-October 2025, further limiting humanitarian operations, journalism, and access to education, especially for women and girls.
Elsewhere, governments have increasingly resorted to platform-specific bans. In NepalAuthorities suspended access to 26 social networks and messaging platforms in September 2025 amid political unrest.
In Sri LankaA law adopted in 2024 gives broad powers to restrict online content, raising concerns about shrinking digital civic space.
In Africa, election-related disruptions have remained a recurring feature.
Internet connectivity was severely affected in Cameroon during the presidential elections of October 2025, while Tanzania imposed internet restrictions and partial shutdowns around its October 2025 election, prompting criticism of a broader crackdown on civil liberties.
Implications for human rights
The growing concern echoes warnings from a 2022 report by the UN human rights office (OHCHR), which examined the causes and impacts of internet shutdowns around the world.
The report details how closures can prevent hospitals from contacting doctors in emergencies, deprive voters of information about candidates, isolate small businesses from customers and leave protesters unable to call for help during violent crackdowns.
It found that internet shutdowns rarely comply with international human rights standards, particularly the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality.
Due to their indiscriminate reach, the report said, lockdowns often affect millions of people beyond the situations they are intended to address, deepening digital divides and undermining social and economic progress.