Fake news and hate speech was the most common official justification used by governments for internet shutdowns in 2019, followed by precautionary measures in second place. Public safety was ranked third. However, official justifications for shutdowns rarely match the actual causes, which frequently include political instability and protests.
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Access Now. (February 21, 2020). Common official justifications used by governments that ordered internet shutdowns worldwide in 2019 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 21, 2026, from /statistics/1096316/government-justifications-for-internet-shutdowns/
Access Now. "Common official justifications used by governments that ordered internet shutdowns worldwide in 2019." Chart. February 21, 2020. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 21, 2026. /statistics/1096316/government-justifications-for-internet-shutdowns/
Access Now. (2020). Common official justifications used by governments that ordered internet shutdowns worldwide in 2019. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 21, 2026. /statistics/1096316/government-justifications-for-internet-shutdowns/
Access Now. "Common Official Justifications Used by Governments That Ordered Internet Shutdowns Worldwide in 2019." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 21 Feb 2020, /statistics/1096316/government-justifications-for-internet-shutdowns/
Access Now, Common official justifications used by governments that ordered internet shutdowns worldwide in 2019 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1096316/government-justifications-for-internet-shutdowns/ (last visited July 21, 2026)
Common official justifications used by governments that ordered internet shutdowns worldwide in 2019 [Graph], Access Now, February 21, 2020. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1096316/government-justifications-for-internet-shutdowns/
