• Vodafone published a report warning deliberate network shutdowns hit record levels, raising economic, social, security costs.
• Access Now logged at least 313 shutdowns across 52 countries in 2025, the worst year on record.
• Full internet blackout hours rose 47% in 2025 vs 2024; single-platform social media shutdown hours climbed 66%.
• About 800 million people were affected; global economic losses in 2025 estimated at nearly USD 20 billion.
• Vodafone proposed a governance framework calling shutdowns a last resort, requiring legality, necessity, proportionality, transparency, independent oversight.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Vodafone Group plc published the original content used to generate this news brief on September 18, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.