According to Access Now, authorities shut down the internet across 35 countries at least 187 times.
It described the protracted shutdowns as “maliciously targeted” attacks on human rights that were deployed to wipe out democratic movements, crush people power and provide cover for violence.
Leaders in Myanmar and Ethiopia were found to be already replicating these tactics in 2023.
“Governments wield internet shutdowns as weapons of control and shields of impunity,” said Felicia Anthonio, campaign manager at Access Now.
“In 2022, under authoritarian regimes and in democracies, powermongers accelerated their use of these callous tactics, disrupting the internet to fuel their agendas of oppression; manipulating narratives, silencing voices and ensuring cover for their own acts of violence and abuse.
As the biggest offender, India implemented at least 84 shutdowns - the highest number for the fifth year running.
Many of these were associated with ongoing...