Internet shutdowns cost the global economy US$8.05 billion in 2019.

Government-imposed internet shutdowns and social media access blocks totaled 18,200 hours globally throughout 2019, resulting in US$8.05 billion in economic losses.

Indonesia ranked seventh, with economic losses reaching US$187.7 million. Social media access was blocked for 78 hours by the government during the riots in Jakarta on May 21-22, 2019, following the presidential election announcement.

The government also shut down the internet for 338 hours during the unrest in Papua and West Papua from mid-August to the end of September 2019. This unrest stemmed from racial discrimination experienced by several Papuan students in Surabaya, East Java.

Beyond economic losses, such restrictions impact citizens' freedom of expression and right to information, and can even lead to increased violence during unrest.