Internet Sans Frontières joins #KeepItOn campaign to fight internet shutdowns - Internet Sans Frontières

Today Internet Sans Frontières joined 68 organizations from five continents in launching the #KeepitOn campaign to fight internet shutdowns worldwide. The full list of organizations is available on the campaign website hosted at Access Now.

Internet shutdowns are an intolerable violation of fundamental freedoms of citizens, and they economically harm countries that practice them. No digital economy can develop in an environment where the Internet can be cut at any time. Julie Owono Head of Africa Desk at Internet Sans Frontières

The #KeepitOn campaign aims to bring together voices from across the globe to push back on internet shutdowns at every level, from governments to telcos to tech companies to everyday internet users.

It began with the adoption of an international definition of internet shutdowns at RightsCon Silicon Valley. Among other targets, the campaign will challenge service providers to fight back against government shutdown requests; highlight the use of shutdowns during elections; and build consensus at the U.N. and other intergovernmental organizations that people have a basic right to access information and speak freely online.

Internet Without Borders observes with concern an increase in the use of Internet shutdowns during election times, particularly in Africa. Cutting Internet access is a Human rights violation which must be strongly condemned and must be prevented. Julie Owono, Head of Africa Desk at Internet Sans Frontières.

The campaign website will feature a way for people around the world to securely and safely report shutdowns in order to gather critical information about how they’re being implemented and why. The launch of #KeepitOn follows a recent shutdown in Iraq — the third in a month — to prevent cheating during school exams, as well as the recent announcement in Ghana that the police are considering blocking social media during upcoming elections in November 2016.