Study: Internet Shutdowns Cost the Global Economy $10 Billion in 2022
According to a study by Top10VPN, government-ordered internet shutdowns in 2022 cost the global economy more than $10 billion. This figure is almost double that of the previous year, and it only covers the first half of 2022.
Major Losses Linked to Social Media Restrictions in Russia
The largest losses from internet shutdowns in 2022 were due to ongoing social media restrictions in Russia, which cost $8.78 billion. These restrictions were implemented in connection with the so-called “special operation” by Russian forces in neighboring Ukraine. Currently, authorities are limiting access to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Shutdowns Recorded in 16 Countries
This year, Top10VPN recorded attempts by governments in 16 countries to significantly disrupt internet access. Such measures are typically taken during protests, affecting anywhere from hundreds of thousands to hundreds of millions of people.
The cost of these disruptions was calculated using the Netblocks and Internet Society Costs of Shutdown Tool. This tool is based on a methodology developed by the Brookings Institution in 2016, as well as a specialized CIPESA model for Sub-Saharan African countries.
Human Rights and Other Reasons for Shutdowns
Most incidents listed in the Top10VPN report for this year were related to human rights issues—such as attempts to interfere with elections, press freedom, or public protests. However, these are not the only reasons governments intentionally shut down the internet in 2022. For example, in Sudan, Syria, and Algeria, authorities used internet shutdowns to prevent students from cheating during academic exams. Shutdowns not related to protests can cost the global economy more than $6 million per day.
Long-Term Impact and Underreported Losses
Top10VPN reports that since 2019, there have been 301 major internet shutdowns in 48 countries, costing the global economy $27.68 billion. However, since the report does not account for smaller disruptions, the actual damage to human rights and the economy is likely even greater.
Earlier this year, the international digital rights nonprofit Access Now and the KeepItOn coalition reported that they tracked 182 internet shutdowns in 34 countries in 2021. “Regardless of the methodology used to measure such incidents, it’s clear that government-ordered internet shutdowns deeply undermine the economy and the lives of those affected,” Doug Madory, Director of Internet Analysis at network monitoring company Kentik, told The Record.