Deliberate internet shutdowns cost the global economy more than $8 billion last year, according to a new report.
, which uses indicators from the World Bank, International Telecommunication Union, Eurostat and U.S. Census Bureau.
Researchers noted that there were more shutdowns in 2019 than ever before, with the total cost surging 235% from 2016. In terms of individual regions, the Middle East and North Africa took the biggest economic hit from internet shutdowns in 2019, with costs exceeding $3 billion. Those blackouts included a shutdown in the Kashmir region, which has been ongoing since August when the Indian governmentgranting the state of Jammu and Kashmir autonomy over its own laws. The report noted there was "no end to restrictions in sight" for the region.
"From communicating with suppliers to engaging with new and existing customers, internet shutdowns negatively impact almost every aspect of a business's operations," he said.
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