Beyond the Blackout: Strategies to Counter Internet Shutdowns
By Zaina Foundation
A full internet shutdown is a deliberate act by a government or authority to completely block access to the internet, making it impossible for people to go online or use any form of digital communication. Unlike partial restrictions such as website blocking, platform throttling, or bandwidth slowing, a full shutdown disables mobile data, broadband networks, Wi-Fi connections, messaging applications, and online services entirely. According to global monitoring bodies such as Access Now’s #KeepItOn coalition, the Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI), IODA, Internet Society and Amnesty International, full shutdowns are among the most extreme and harmful forms of digital repression because they interrupt freedom of expression, limit access to essential services, expose marginalized groups to heightened risk, and cause profound economic, social, and political harm.
Tanzania experienced the first full internet shutdown for six days from 29 October to 3 November, during a critical political (Election day) moment. The blackout affected millions of people, disrupting communication, election transparency, economic activities, education systems, healthcare coordination, and the safety of women and vulnerable groups. During this period, all major channels of communication including mobile data, messaging applications, social media, and online information platforms became inaccessible. Monitoring reports by Access Now, Open Observatory for Network Interference (OONI) and Netblock confirmed that the shutdown in Tanzania was systemic, nationwide, and intentionally implemented. Amnesty International publicly raised concern, noting that the disruption violated Tanzania’s obligations under regional and international human rights law. Internet connectivity shutdown in Tanzania between 29th October 2025 to 3rd November 2025 is visible on the IODA platform: https://ioda.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu/country/TZ?from=1759330356&until=1762440756&view=view1
IODA is a research lab at Georgia Tech university, monitoring internet connectivity worldwide in real-time. They provide a dashboard with alerts and open data on internet connectivity shutdowns around the world https://ioda.inetintel.cc.gatech.edu/
Against this backdrop, Zaina Foundation recognized nationally for its leadership in digital rights, internet freedom advocacy, online safety, and protection of women human rights defenders (WHRDs) conducted a two hours webinar on 21 November 2025 titled “Beyond the Blackout: Strategies to Counter Internet Shutdowns.” The webinar aimed to document how Tanzanians were affected by the recent shutdown and to equip participants with tools, strategies, and legal pathways to counter future disruptions. Bringing together thirty participants from civil society organizations, journalists, youth movements, WHRD networks, disability groups, and community-based organizations, the session created an important space for reflection, learning, and movement-building in the aftermath of the blackout.
The session opened by contextualizing the political dynamics that often accompany shutdowns. The facilitator explained that governments commonly justify shutdowns under the pretext of national security, public safety, or election management, yet research from Amnesty International consistently shows that such measures are used to silence dissent, restrict civic space, and weaken democratic participation. Participants discussed how Tanzania’s shutdown echoed patterns seen elsewhere, particularly across Africa, where shutdowns frequently occur during elections, protests, and political transitions.
The training then explored the technical dimensions of resilience, focusing on practical tools communities can use before and during a blackout. Participants were introduced to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Tunnel Bear, Tor, Psiphon, and Snowflake tools known for their effectiveness in bypassing network blocks and DNS interference. The facilitator emphasized the importance of downloading and testing these tools before a shutdown occurs, noting that during the Tanzania blackout, many citizens were caught unprepared. Offline and low-bandwidth communication technologies such as Briar, Bridgefy, and Meshtastic were presented as vital alternatives for peer-to-peer communication, especially for activists and WHRDs working in high-risk environments. Additional options such as satellite internet devices, community networks, and radio communication systems were discussed as strategies to maintain connectivity during total disruptions like the one occurred in Tanzania from Polling day October 2025 through November 3, 2025. Participants were advised to maintain offline backups of contacts, documents, and essential information and to develop emergency digital toolkits especially for women leaders, journalists, and HRDs who may face targeted risks of abduction and death during shutdowns.
The legal and policy segment of the webinar focused on strategic avenues for challenging shutdowns in Tanzania. Participants explored litigation opportunities in national courts, particularly using constitutional protections for freedom of expression, access to information, and participation in public affairs. The facilitator referenced how regional instruments endorsed by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights explicitly condemn shutdowns as human rights violations. Participants discussed how engaging policymakers, regulators, telecommunications operators, and parliamentary committees could promote transparency, discourage unlawful directives, and build legal safeguards against future shutdowns. International norms, including United Nations Human Rights Council resolutions, were highlighted as supportive frameworks for advocacy efforts.
A critical portion of the session addressed documentation and evidence gathering, a practice strongly recommended is OONI and Netblocks. Participants learned that effective accountability depends on accurate documentation of technical disruptions and human impact. Measurement tools such as OONI Probe, NetBlocks, and IODA were presented as essential for recording the technical nature of shutdowns for advocacy and litigation. Participants also discussed collecting testimonies to capture the social and gendered impacts including disruptions to healthcare, education, economy, livelihoods, and GBV reporting services. These narratives are crucial for future litigation, advocacy, regional and global reporting.
The conversation then shifted to movement building and collective action. Participants reflected on the power of coordinated responses among CSOs, WHRDs, tech advocates, disability groups, journalists, and youth networks. The facilitator emphasized establishing early-warning mechanisms, monitoring political developments, and preparing communities ahead of high-risk periods such as election cycles. Participants discussed how joining regional and global coalitions including the #DigitalRightstz under Zaina Foundation, #KeepItOn campaign under Access Now can help amplify national struggles and global solidarity.
Participants also discussed the role of telecommunications companies, noting their complicity or resistance can shape the impact of shutdowns. Many participants expressed the need for stronger advocacy demanding transparency reports, explanations for shutdown compliance, and adherence to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Ensuring that telecom operators are held publicly accountable was identified as an essential long-term strategy.
The human impact of shutdowns became vividly clear when participants shared personal testimonies. “Activist Leila Bhanji described the six-day blackout as a “strong and coordinated shutdown” in which all digital communication became inaccessible, calling for a three-day physical training to prepare Tanzanians for future full blackouts.”
“Activist Martina Kabisama shared a profound experience in which a family member was unable to send critical health data to medical specialists in India due to the shutdown, demonstrating the life-threatening consequences of denying internet access.”
“Journalist Edna described how her work was severely disrupted because she could not transmit news reports to the newsroom.”
“Digital influencer Viola recounted losing an important professional opportunity with an international organization because she could not upload required updates during the blackout.”
These testimonials underscored the severe economic, professional, emotional, and health-related consequences of shutdowns.
The webinar concluded with a strong set of community-driven recommendations. Participants emphasized the need for continued advocacy both online and offline, focusing on educating the public and mobilizing communities against digital repression. They recommended additional training on circumvention technologies, especially satellite tools, mesh networks, and community-driven connectivity models. Participants also encouraged community training on eSIM technology, which can offer alternative connectivity options. Many urged the Zaina Foundation to form stronger alliances with international partners to deepen collaboration and expand strategic leverage for the Tanzania community. Finally, participants placed strong emphasis on pursuing strategic litigation against the government for violating digital rights under Tanzanian law and regional human rights frameworks. Litigation was viewed as a powerful tool to establish legal precedent and deter future shutdowns.
In conclusion, the Beyond the Blackout webinar provided an essential space for reflection, knowledge sharing, and capacity strengthening following Tanzania’s full internet shutdown. Through legal, technical, community-based, and advocacy-driven strategies, participants gained tools to prepare for and counter future shutdowns. The testimonies shared during the session highlighted the urgency of this work and the immediate, tangible harm caused by shutdowns. As a leading organization in digital rights and internet freedom in Tanzania, Zaina Foundation remains committed to advancing a free, open, and safe digital environment for all.
We extend our sincere appreciation to all our partners and supporters for their unwavering commitment to defending internet freedom in Tanzania. Your collaboration, trust, and continued solidarity have strengthened our efforts to safeguard digital rights, promote open and secure access to information, and ensure that every individual can participate freely in the digital space. Your support has been instrumental in advancing our advocacy, amplifying community voices, and driving meaningful change toward a more inclusive and rights-respecting digital future for all.