According to the report, in 2025 there were 212 significant internet outages and social media blocks in 28 countries, resulting in a total communication disruption time of over 120,000 hours — 70% more than in 2024. Estimates indicate that 798 million people were affected by these restrictions.
The report emphasizes that this is not only about complete shutdowns. It distinguishes between cases of complete shutdowns, blocking of individual platforms, and significant traffic slowdowns to levels comparable to 2G, where only voice calls and SMS remain functional, making the full operation of modern services impossible. In 2025, the total time of complete shutdowns amounted to 55,700 hours, social media blocks to 54,000 hours, and traffic slowdowns to 12,700 hours. The authors believe that the latter category indicates a return to large-scale censorship practices.
The greatest economic damage was recorded in Russia — $11.9 billion, followed by Venezuela with $1.91 billion and Myanmar with $1.89 billion. The report details a wave of restrictions in Russia that began in May, which manifested not as complete shutdowns but through a series of technical interventions. One method, known as the "16 KB curtain," limited access to a number of resources, including those hosted on Cloudflare, so that only the first 16 kilobytes of data were loaded. Formally, the connection was maintained, but most modern websites became practically unusable. The authors note that it is difficult to assess such damage in monetary terms, so the estimate from the "curtain" is approximate.
When it comes to platform blocks, in 2025 the most time was spent blocking X (Twitter) — 18,354 hours. Next was Telegram with 16,990 hours and TikTok with 14,646 hours. The report provides examples showing how prolonged blocks accumulate hours, and how authorities sometimes choose a gradual deterioration of service quality instead of an immediate ban. An example is given of the case with WhatsApp in Russia: first, restrictions on certain functions, then an expansion to different types of connections, and eventually a situation where the service becomes almost non-functional for many users.
The authors also highlight an interesting shift in the motives for shutdowns in 2025: for the first time, the main reason became the category of "information control." These restrictions turned out to be both the most expensive and the longest-lasting. Although exam-related shutdowns occurred frequently, they had smaller financial consequences as they lasted for shorter periods. It is also noted that some countries began to act more precisely, reducing collateral damage; however, the overall trend indicates a deterioration in "internet freedom" and an increase in the share of preventive restrictions.
The methodology for calculating damage is based on the NetBlocks COST tool and a number of macroeconomic indicators, including data from the World Bank and the U.S. Census Bureau. It is important to note that social media blocks lasting more than 365 days are not included in the report, as over time users often switch to alternative platforms, which changes the economic effect. Therefore, old bans in Russia do not add new "hours" to the statistics.
The main conclusion of the report is that internet shutdowns are becoming not only more frequent but also more technologically sophisticated. Instead of a simple "switch," there is an increasing situation where the formal availability of connectivity conceals the actual unavailability of services. This creates new risks for businesses and users that need to be prepared for in advance.
