Key Highlights
- The third quarter of 2025 saw a wide variety of internet disruptions with known and unknown causes.
- Government-directed shutdowns were observed in Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Czech Republic.
- Cable cuts due to work activities, protests, and natural events impacted connectivity in several countries.
- Technical issues including those related to China’s Great Firewall caused traffic losses across multiple countries.
Global Internet Disruptions: Third Quarter 2025
In the third quarter of 2025, internet outages and disruptions continued to plague various parts of the world. This summary highlights notable incidents and their causes, illustrating both the technical complexity and political influences behind these events.
Government-Driven Internet Shutdowns
The report outlines several instances where governments implemented shutdowns for specific reasons. In Sudan, regular disruptions were observed between 12:00-15:00 UTC each day from July 7 to 10, coinciding with exam-related periods. Similarly, Syria experienced multiple interruptions tied to educational examinations, although the exact causes remain unverified.
In Iraq and Venezuela, shutdowns were more dramatic.
In Iraq, a series of exams resulted in government-imposed outages that lasted until September 8, impacting networks across the country. Venezuela saw its SuperCable provider abruptly shut down service on August 18 due to regulatory revocation, leaving users without internet connectivity for an extended period.
Afghanistan’s Taliban administration ordered fiber optic bans in multiple provinces as part of a broader effort to curb “immorality,” affecting students and commerce. These disruptions were the first since full Taliban control over the country in August 2021, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by internet infrastructure under authoritarian rule.
Cable Cuts and Infrastructure Issues
Technical issues also contributed significantly to internet outages. In the Dominican Republic, damage to fiber optic cables caused by construction activities resulted in a service disruption lasting several hours. This incident underscores the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to both natural and human-caused disruptions.
In Angola, a 95% drop in traffic was reported on July 19 due to issues with a partner network, despite local protests suggesting government involvement. The situation remains unresolved, raising questions about transparency and accountability in managing internet access.
Technical Challenges
China’s Great Firewall also played a role in disrupting internet traffic across multiple countries. These technical issues illustrate the complex interactions between geopolitical forces and technological infrastructures, affecting global connectivity on a daily basis.
In addition to these disruptions, various other technical issues, including those related to China’s firewall, caused significant traffic losses in different regions. The Great Firewall’s impact demonstrates how state policies can have far-reaching effects on internet freedom and accessibility worldwide.
Conclusion
The third quarter of 2025 saw a diverse array of factors contributing to internet outages, ranging from government directives to technical malfunctions. These events highlight the need for robust international cooperation in ensuring reliable internet access while also addressing political and social challenges that threaten this essential service.
