Internet shutdowns are just one way that internet access was limited in 2016. Credit: Zofeen Ebrahim/IPS G overnments around the world shut down the internet more than 50 times in 2016 – suppressing elections, slowing economies and limiting free speech. In the worst cases internet shutdowns have been associated with human rights violations, Deji Olukotun, Senior Global Advocacy Manager at digital rights organisation Access Now told IPS. “What we have found is that internet shutdowns go hand in hand with atrocities” said Olukotun. “In Ethiopia there’s been consistent blocking this year of social media and internet.” Dozens of people have died in protests in Ethiopia in 2016, “many of them during the kind of blackout where it’s difficult to report on what’s happening,” he said. Several leaders used internet shutdowns to affect democratic processes, including elections. “In Uganda in February 2016 there was a shutdown of social media networks by President Museveni an
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