Global information access faces record internet shutdowns

Global access to information faces significant challenges despite the abundance of digital data. According to documentation by Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition, 313 internet shutdowns were recorded across 52 countries in 2025, marking a record high. These disruptions impact journalism and community communication.

While a UNESCO monitoring report indicates that 141 countries now have legal guarantees for access to information, significant gaps remain in implementation. Many nations struggle with oversight, enforcement mechanisms, and effective data and document management. In 51 of the surveyed countries, officials were unable to provide data regarding document management despite claiming to have established procedures.