Oct 03, 2019 15:00:00

Iraq shuts down Twitter and Facebook, shortly after that, about 75% of the network across Iraq is down

NetBlocks, an organization that monitors copyrighted materials and cyber security on the Internet, said, `` October 2, 2019, 12:30 ( UTC ), Iraqi government has social media apps and messages such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram etc. We announced that the communication of the application was cut off, and 4 hours and a half later, at 17:00 on October 2 (UTC), it was reported that the network was cut off in the majority of Iraq including Baghdad.

Iraq blocks Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram, then shuts down internet amid civil unrest-NetBlocks
https://netblocks.org/reports/iraq-blocks-facebook-twitter-whatsapp-and-instagram-amid-civil-unrest-zA4zGlyR

According to NetBlock, the series of events occurred at 12:30 (UTC) on October 2, 2019. Iraq blocked the communication of social media messaging apps such as Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Instagram. If you look at the following image published by NetBlock, you can see that the communication of each app was blocked on many platforms.

Confirmed: #Iraq has blocked Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram and other platforms as of 12:30 UTC amid growing unrest as protesters approach Green Zone; network data show multiple providers affected; incident ongoing #Iraq_Protest #KeepItOn ????

???? https://t.co/7GF42YLDWU pic.twitter.com/mb6fjZTdbG
— NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) October 2, 2019

At 17:00 on the same day (UTC), following the disconnection of social media and messaging apps, the Internet was cut off in the majority of Iraq, including Baghdad, and network traffic in Iraq fell below 70% during normal times.

⚠️ Urgent: Internet access has just been cut across much of #Iraq including #Baghdad following the earlier blocking of social media platforms; multiple providers affected; nationwide connectivity now falling below 70%; incident ongoing ????

???? https://t.co/7GF42YLDWU pic.twitter.com/7YkvGrJZPy
— NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) October 2, 2019

At 19:30 (UTC) on the same day, Iraq's network traffic will be 25% or less than usual. NetBlocks reports that 'the majority of Iraq has gone offline.'

Update: #Iraq is now largely offline amid widening mass-protests; situation on the ground unclear due to blackouts; real-time network data show ~ 75% of country including #Baghdad now offline (excl. Autonomous regions) ????

???? https://t.co/7GF42YLDWU pic.twitter.com/zUzK36w8nC
— NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) October 2, 2019

A series of communication cuts are seen as a way to disrupt the protests in Iraq since October 1, 2019. This protest demonstration has spread throughout Iraq, including the capital, Baghdad, due to the corruption, high unemployment rate, and dissatisfaction with public services within the government. Baghdad has been reported to have been attended by more than 1000 people, and security forces have reportedly killed the crowd with fire and tear gas, resulting in at least seven deaths and more than 200 injuries.

Video: Large-scale protest demonstration in Iraq 2 deaths, more than 200 injured 1 photo International News: AFPBB News
https://www.afpbb.com/articles/-/3247544