Vodafone Group has called on governments to strengthen safeguards around internet shutdowns, warning that network closures are increasingly disrupting societies, essential services and economies.
The telecommunications group said governments should establish a transparent governance framework to address the rise in the number and duration of internet shutdowns.
Joakim Reiter, Vodafone’s chief external and corporate affairs officer, said the company’s research showed that shutdowns undermine public trust and hamper the delivery of essential services.
“Governments must re-examine their use of internet restrictions and strengthen their safeguards, including wider coordinated action across industry, regulators and civil society,” Reiter said.
Vodafone said its position was not against governments’ right to impose shutdowns, but called for such measures to be used only as a last resort and where the legal requirements support their use.
The company reached the position after preparing an in-depth report drawing on expert views about the effects of network shutdowns.
The experts said key services, including healthcare, education and public safety, are severely affected when connectivity is disrupted, with lower-income households disproportionately bearing the impact.
They also argued that security risks often cited as a justification for shutdowns are frequently overstated and that closures could create additional risks by restricting emergency communications and cybersecurity monitoring systems.
The report further highlighted the growing economic consequences of shutdowns as global markets become increasingly digital.
47% rise in shutdown hours
Figures from human rights group Access Now and its #KeepItOn coalition showed a 47% year-on-year increase in the total hours of internet closures in 2025.
Shutdowns affecting individual social media platforms also increased by 66% during the year.
Vodafone described 2025 as the “worst year on record” for intentional internet closures, with at least 313 shutdowns recorded across 52 countries.
The company estimated that the shutdowns affected about 800 million people and caused an economic impact of almost $20 billion.
According to Vodafone, the economic consequences were felt most strongly in low- and middle-income nations.
The company is therefore calling for greater coordination among governments, industry, regulators and civil society to ensure that internet restrictions are subject to stronger safeguards and used only when necessary.
