Kazakhstan Enforces Nationwide Internet Shutdown Amid Widespread Protests
The government of Kazakhstan implements a total nationwide internet shutdown to quell mass protests over rising energy prices. Cloudflare Radar data confirms the blackout follows targeted mobile disruptions.
Kazakhstan experiences a complete nationwide internet shutdown as the government attempts to control mass protests triggered by sudden energy price increases. Cloudflare Radar data shows that the total blackout begins shortly after 10:30 UTC on January 5, 2022, when BGP updates indicate that the country's networks are no longer routable. This deliberate removal from the global internet grid prevents citizens from communicating and sharing information during the unrest.
The full shutdown is preceded by significant restrictions on mobile internet access on January 4. Because mobile devices account for approximately 75 percent of web traffic in Kazakhstan, these initial disruptions already cause a massive drop in connectivity. Major providers like Kazakhtelecom, Tele2, and Kcell all see sharp declines in traffic, with early mobile throttling eventually giving way to a complete disconnection.
This situation closely mirrors previous state-ordered blackouts used to manage civil unrest, such as the 25-day shutdown in Sudan late in 2021. Unlike accidental outages, the sudden spike in BGP withdrawal messages clearly points to an intentional government directive. Observers continue to monitor the situation through network tracking tools as the country remains largely isolated from the online world.