India, Jan. 23 -- A rising trend towards government-enforced internet shutdowns - with at least 300 incidents in more than 54 countries over the last two years - is prompting renewed warnings from the UN about the threat these digital blackouts pose to freedom of expression, access to information and human rights.

In a statement issued this week, UNESCO said governments are increasingly cutting internet access during protests, elections and times of crisis, despite the central role online connectivity plays in democratic participation and the exercise of basic rights.

The agency noted that 2024 was the worst year on record for internet shutdowns since 2016, citing data from the civil society monitoring group Access Now.

It warned that ...