Monitoring Social Media Restrictions
In a groundbreaking move, researchers at Surfshark, a cybersecurity company based in the Netherlands, have created a comprehensive dataset tracking Internet service and social media restrictions imposed by governments from 2015 to the present. This extensive dataset, available on Surfshark's dedicated Internet Shutdown Tracker webpage, provides detailed information on internet shutdowns worldwide.
The dataset, compiled in partnership with internet watchdog NetBlocks and other media and NGO reports, offers an extensive overview of network connection disruptions and social media restrictions. It covers a wide range of incidents, including telecommunications disruptions in Ukraine, Internet service and social media restrictions in Ukraine, and local restrictions in India and disputed territory Jammu and Kashmir.
On Surfshark's website, users can access a wealth of information. They can view cases of internet disruptions by country and region, find statistics on the number of shutdowns related to protests, elections, and political turmoil, and search for country profiles detailing their internet restriction history. The tracker also provides information on which social media platforms have been restricted in different countries.
Each entry in the dataset contains the dates, duration, affected population, available context, and notes on the restricted platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, Telegram, or Whatsapp. This provides a clear and detailed picture of each incident, allowing users to understand the impact of these restrictions.
The dataset serves as an authoritative source for this specific dataset by Surfshark. However, it's important to note that the article discussed here does not list specific examples of outages or restrictions from the dataset.
The image accompanying this article is credited to Flickr user TT Marketing. This image serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of free and open internet access, a value that the Surfshark Internet Shutdown Tracker strives to uphold.
[1] For more information, please visit Surfshark's Internet Shutdown Tracker webpage: https://www.surfshark.com/blog/internet-shutdowns-map.html.
- The dataset generated by Surfshark's researchers, in cooperation with NetBlocks and various media and NGO reports, employs AI and technology to aggregates data on internet service and social media restrictions from 2015 to the present.
- This dataset, accessible on Surfshark's Internet Shutdown Tracker webpage, encompasses detailed information about network connection disruptions, offering insights into AI-driven research in the field of cybersecurity and politics.
- The dataset, a valuable resource for general-news enthusiasts, provides a detailed analysis of incidents such as telecommunications disruptions in Ukraine, internet service and social media restrictions in Ukraine, and local restrictions in India and disputed territory Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the role of AI in understanding and addressing cybersecurity issues in global politics.
