The Global Network Initiative (GNI) is pleased to announce the release of a new report, “Disconnected: A Human Rights-Based Approach to Network Disruptions.” Authored by Jan Rydzak, a researcher specializing in technology and human rights, the report examines the growing global use of network shutdowns and their wide-ranging impacts on fundamental rights.
Drawing on statistical analysis and interviews with key stakeholders, the report finds that network disruptions have become an increasingly common tool of information control across multiple regions. In 2017 alone, disruptions amounted to approximately 2,500 cumulative days worldwide, underscoring the scale and urgency of the issue.
Moving beyond a narrow focus on freedom of expression, the report highlights how shutdowns affect a broad spectrum of rights, including access to health, education, and economic opportunity, as well as freedoms of association and assembly. It also identifies trends linking internet expansion with patterns of disruption, offering new insights for policymakers and advocates.
The report concludes with practical recommendations for civil society, companies, researchers, and governments to better document, understand, and push back against network disruptions, while promoting responsible efforts to expand connectivity.