Vodafone report pegs 2025 internet shutdown losses at nearly USD 20 billion

By Public Technologies
  • Vodafone published a report warning deliberate network shutdowns hit record levels, raising economic, social, security costs.
  • Access Now logged at least 313 shutdowns across 52 countries in 2025, the worst year on record.
  • Full internet blackout hours rose 47% in 2025 vs 2024; single-platform social media shutdown hours climbed 66%.
  • About 800 million people were affected; global economic losses in 2025 estimated at nearly USD 20 billion.
  • Vodafone proposed a governance framework calling shutdowns a last resort, requiring legality, necessity, proportionality, transparency, independent oversight.


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