Summary of **"The Longest Silence: Internet Shutdowns During Bangladesh’s 2024 Uprising"** published by OONI and Digitally Right: ## Overview - The report investigates the **22-day internet shutdown** in Bangladesh during the **July–August 2024 student-led uprising** - It was the **longest and most complex internet disruption** in Bangladesh’s history, involving **nationwide blackouts**, **bandwidth throttling**, and **targeted blocking** of platforms and VPNs. ## Key Findings - **Huge Scale**: Two full national blackouts (July 18-23 and August 5) and widespread throttling/blocking. - **Multi layered Tactics**: - Full mobile and broadband shutdowns - Cache server deactivations - Blocking of social media, messaging apps, and VPNs (e.g., ProtonVPN, NordVPN) - **Opaque Implementation**: - Orders often issued informally (e.g., via WhatsApp) - Multiple overlapping authorities (ICT Ministry, BTRC, NTMC, DoT) - Lack of formal documentation or public transparency ## Timeline Breakdown 1. **July 15-17**: Internet controls begin 2. **July 18-23**: Nationwide blackout amid deadly clashes 3. **July 24-31**: Curfew eased, layered controls persist 4. **August 1-3**: Slower internet, shift in protest demands 5. **August 4-5**: Second blackout and government collapse ## Technical & Methodological Insights - Shutdowns were enforced via: - DNS tampering - IP blocking - Gateway-level filtering - Centralized internet infrastructure in Bangladesh made enforcement easier. - Data was gathered from media reports, technical monitoring tools (like OONI and IODA), and interviews with ISPs and officials. --- ## Broader Implications - The shutdowns severely impacted **freedom of expression**, **access to information**, and **human rights**. - The report aims to support **accountability** and inform future research on **digital rights and censorship** in Bangladesh. Source:

OONI Reports on Bangladesh's Internet Blackout in 2024

Summary of “The Longest Silence: Internet Shutdowns During Bangladesh’s 2024 Uprising” published by OONI and Digitally Right:

The report investigates the 22-day internet shutdown in Bangladesh during the July–August 2024 student-led uprising
It was the longest and most complex internet disruption in Bangladesh’s history, involving nationwide blackouts, bandwidth throttling, and targeted blocking of platforms and VPNs.

Huge Scale: Two full national blackouts (July 18-23 and August 5) and widespread throttling/blocking.
Multi layered Tactics:
- Full mobile and broadband shutdowns
- Cache server deactivations
- Blocking of social media, messaging apps, and VPNs (e.g., ProtonVPN, NordVPN)
Opaque Implementation:
- Orders often issued informally (e.g., via WhatsApp)
- Multiple overlapping authorities (ICT Ministry, BTRC, NTMC, DoT)
- Lack of formal documentation or public transparency

Shutdowns were enforced via:
- DNS tampering
- IP blocking
- Gateway-level filtering
Centralized internet infrastructure in Bangladesh made enforcement easier.
Data was gathered from media reports, technical monitoring tools (like OONI and IODA), and interviews with ISPs and officials.

—

The shutdowns severely impacted freedom of expression, access to information, and human rights.
The report aims to support accountability and inform future research on digital rights and censorship in Bangladesh.