Internet access: Russian programmers play “cat and mouse” game to outsmart censors
LUCY PAPACHRISTOU, of Reuters, reports on a growing ecosystem of freelance programmers and VPN companies involved in working to bypass controls on what Russians can access online…
Sudanese seek connections through Starlink after weeks of blackouts
Omdurman, Sudan Reuters Some Sudanese residents cut off from mobile networks for weeks due to war between rival military factions are using Starlink satellite connections to access the internet, as regular coverage started to return to other parts of the country. The mobile blackout that began in early February has prevented people from buying essential […]
Internet shutdowns: Are we likely to see more in 2024?
Digital rights groups fear a rise in global internet shutdowns in 2024 could threaten fundamental rights in a super-election year. NITA BHALLA, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, report…
India leads world in cutting internet access for fifth year in a row – watchdog
Reuters India imposed by far the highest number of internet shutdowns in the world in 2022, internet advocacy watchdog Access Now said on Tuesday, as the country topped the list for the fifth successive year. Out of 187 internet shutdowns globally recorded by Access Now, 84 took place in India, including 49 in Indian-administered Kashmir, […]
Social media restricted in Ethiopia after church rift turns violent
Nairobi, KenyaReuters Access to social media platforms has been restricted in Ethiopia, Internet watchdog NetBlocks said, following violent protests sparked by a rift within the country’s Orthodox Church. The protests broke out in the Oromiya region when three church officials declared themselves archbishops last month and set up their own governing body. Some demonstrators have […]
Havana protests flare for second night as government scrambles to turn on lights
Havana, CubaReuters Crews restored power to more neighborhoods across Havana on Saturday after a second day of protests over ongoing blackouts in Cuba’s capital, including some of the largest demonstrations since widespread anti-government rallies in July, 2021. At least one of the protests Friday night in the western seaside borough of Playa swelled in size […]
As young Africans push to be online, data cost stands in the way
Johannesburg, South Africa/Accra, GhanaThomson Reuters Foundation Alongside the food, clothing and nappies gifted to a shelter for South African flood victims, one donation proved especially popular – a wi-fi router. The router allowed the students to finish assignments, helped the unemployed find jobs and meant seamstresses could download dress patterns – tasks that had been […]
Bridging the digital divide: The rise of community internet in Africa
KIM HARRISBERG, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on the role decentralised networks are playing in increasing access to the internet…
‘Digital divide’ hits rural Black Americans hardest
Los Angles/Washington DCThomson Reuters Foundation The lack of internet access in the United States is particularly pronounced in rural, southern areas with higher Black populations, researchers said this week amid a battle in Congress over how to close the digital divide. African Americans across rural counties in 10 mostly southern states were nearly twice as likely […]
Left in the dark: Millions hit by internet shutdowns in 2020
Thomson Reuters Foundation From Belarus to Myanmar, 29 countries suspended internet services in 2020, mainly during protests or elections, cutting off millions from vital information as the coronavirus pandemic raged, digital rights group Access Now said on Wednesday. Internet shutdowns prevented people in dozens of countries from working, studying, communicating and accessing life-saving news last […]