Thirteen Internet Blocking Cases in Early 2022: The Value of Losses

According to data from research firm Top10VPN, during the first quarter of 2022, there were 13 instances of internet and social media blocking across Ethiopia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, Kazakhstan, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, and Russia.

The reasons for these blockades varied by country. Russia, for example, implemented blocks due to its war with Ukraine, while Myanmar's blockades stemmed from the ongoing military coup. Other countries experienced blockades due to armed conflicts or widespread protests related to economic and political issues.

Although the reasons differed, these blockades were generally implemented by governments to control information or suppress public dissent within their territories.

The cumulative losses resulting from internet shutdowns in these countries between January and March 2022 are estimated to have reached US$2.3 billion, or approximately Rp30.55 trillion.

This figure includes losses from decreased work productivity, lost investment potential, and reduced income in economic sectors reliant on internet and social media access.

Over a longer period, internet and social media access blockades worldwide from 2019 to 2022 resulted in cumulative losses of approximately US$38.8 billion, or Rp556 trillion.

The Indonesian government also implemented similar blockades in 2019. At that time, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics blocked internet access in Papua and West Papua provinces, citing the need to curb the spread of hoaxes related to unrest in the region.

(See also: The Economic Consequences of Internet Access Blockades in Russia Result in Billions of Rupiah in Losses)