Pakistan Faces Highest Financial Losses from Internet Shutdowns in 2024
Pakistan Tops Global Financial Losses from Internet Shutdowns in 2024
In 2024, Pakistan experienced the highest financial losses worldwide due to internet and social media app outages, totaling USD 1.62 billion. This surpassed losses in countries like Sudan and Myanmar, which are in civil conflict. According to Top10VPN.com, global internet disruptions lasted 88,788 hours, causing a USD 7.69 billion loss. These shutdowns, occurring 167 times in 28 countries, were described by Simon Migliano, Head of Research at Top10VPN.com, as extreme internet censorship that harms national economies.
Despite a 15.8% decrease in total costs from the previous year, the duration of shutdowns increased by 12%. In 2023, 196 shutdowns in 25 countries lasted 79,238 hours, resulting in a USD 9.01 billion loss. In Pakistan, 18 intentional shutdowns were tracked, driven by elections, information control, and protests, affecting 82.9 million users over 9,735 hours. The most costly was the ongoing shutdown of social media platform X, starting February 18, with a USD 1.34 billion impact.
The second-highest cost was the internet shutdown in Balochistan, from July 16 to August 21, due to protests by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee in Gwadar, costing USD 11.8 million over 864 hours. The report used the Cost of Shutdown Tool (COST) by NetBlocks, estimating economic impacts based on GDP, disruption duration, and affected population percentage.
Globally, internet shutdowns were implemented for conflicts, censorship, exam cheating prevention, protests, and military coups. Asia was the most affected region, with Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India among the top six impacted countries. Myanmar's shutdown lasted 20,376 hours, costing USD 1.58 billion, while Sudan's 12,707-hour disruption cost USD 1.12 billion. Venezuela and Bangladesh followed with losses of USD 1.12 billion and USD 796.6 million, respectively, and India at USD 322.9 million.
Doubts Revealed
Internet Shutdown
An internet shutdown is when the government or authorities turn off the internet, so people can't use it. This can stop people from using websites, apps, and online services.
USD 1.62 billion
USD stands for United States Dollar, which is a type of money used in America. 1.62 billion means 1,620,000,000 dollars, which is a very large amount of money.
Top10VPN.com
Top10VPN.com is a website that provides information about VPNs, which are tools that help people use the internet more privately. They also track internet shutdowns around the world.
Social Media Platform X
Social Media Platform X is a made-up name for a social media app where people can share messages, photos, and videos with others. It is similar to apps like Facebook or Instagram.
Economic Impact
Economic impact means how something affects the money and business in a country. In this case, internet shutdowns are causing businesses to lose money.
Censorship
Censorship is when the government or authorities control what people can see or say, especially on the internet. They might block certain websites or apps.
Myanmar and Sudan
Myanmar and Sudan are countries in Asia and Africa, respectively. They also experienced internet shutdowns, which caused them to lose a lot of money.
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