Internet Outage In Belarus: What Happened?

On 9 August 2020, internet connectivity in Belarus was disrupted amid a controversial presidential election. The blackout, which lasted for 61 hours, was blamed on the government by human rights organisations and outside observers. The government, however, denied this, with President Lukashenko stating that the outages were coming from abroad. The disruption came as protests escalated in the country's capital, Minsk, with demonstrators contesting the election results that saw Lukashenko win a sixth term in office.

The internet shutdown in Belarus was expected

In the lead-up to the elections, there were several indications that an internet shutdown was imminent. On 4 August, a screenshot of an email from a Belarusian bank employee circulated, warning customers of potential digital banking outages in the coming days. On 8 August, journalists from the Russian newspaper *Moskovsky Komsomolets* reported that they were unable to purchase local SIM cards, as they were warned by a salesperson that mobile data and internet connectivity would be shut down across the country on election day.

The internet disruptions began in the early hours of 9 August, with reports of YouTube and Messenger being the first to stop working. This was followed by the blocking of important election platforms such as Golas and Zubr, which were used to register votes and report violations in real time. As the day progressed, the whole mobile internet was shut down, and most media outlets became unavailable. Only a few independent media outlets, such as tut.by and Free Radio Europe, remained accessible. Popular messaging apps such as Viber, WhatsApp, and Messenger were also blocked, and the authorities even attempted to block Telegram, the most popular app for information sharing in Belarus.

The internet shutdown in Belarus had a significant impact on the flow of information and communication within the country. With most networks fully offline or carrying reduced traffic, citizens struggled to establish contact with the outside world, creating an information vacuum. This was particularly concerning given the mass protests and increasing social unrest over the presidential election results. The disruption also had economic consequences, with businesses reliant on online services such as ATMs, GitHub, Google Docs, and Slack being affected.

While the Belarusian government denied that the internet outages were a result of their initiatives, human rights organizations and outside observers remained skeptical. The blocking strategy used in Belarus involved deep packet inspection, which allows for the filtering of web traffic and blocking access to specific sites. This technique has been employed by other countries in the past, such as Egypt, to restrict access to certain information.

The internet shutdown in Belarus lasted for a recorded duration of 61 hours, ending on the morning of Wednesday, 12 August. However, internet restrictions and disruptions continued to be imposed intermittently in the following weeks and months, particularly during protests and gatherings.

The government blocked access to specific sites

On the morning of the election day, Zubr.in was inaccessible. Zubr is a map for reporting violations in real-time. Similarly, Naviny and Tut.By, the country's two largest independent news platforms, as well as the website of the newspaper Nasha Niva, all became inaccessible just after the polls closed.

Golos, a grassroots platform that includes an alternative vote-counting system, was also the target of a DNS attack that attempted to collect users' personal data.

The blocks were not limited to news sites. On Sunday morning, YouTube and Messenger stopped working. Viber, WhatsApp, and Messenger were also blocked, and the authorities even tried to block Telegram, the most popular app for information sharing in Belarus.

The disruption extended to virtual private networks (VPNs)—a common workaround for internet outages or censorship—most of which remained unreachable.

The Belarusian government appeared to be using deep packet inspection to filter web traffic and block access to specific sites. This was followed by a more comprehensive outage on Sunday evening.

On 13 August 2020, four days after the election, DPI/SNI filtering tests identified a transition from keyword-based filtering to exact-match filtering. Blocked sites included the Belarusian Association of Journalists, a variety of local news platforms, opposition election websites, webmail, and VPN services.

The shutdown disrupted businesses

The internet shutdown in Belarus had a significant impact on businesses, causing disruptions and losses across various sectors. The shutdown lasted for a prolonged period, lasting 61 hours from Sunday, August 9, to Wednesday morning, severely affecting connectivity and operations.

One of the most prominent consequences was the disruption of online services and platforms. Popular websites such as YouTube, social media platforms, search engines, and news sites became unreachable for users. This included both international services like Google and specific Belarusian platforms like Zubr.in, a grassroots platform for reporting electoral law violations, and Golos, an alternative vote-counting platform. The disruption of these platforms hindered the ability of citizens to access information, share content, and engage in online activities, impacting businesses that rely on these platforms for their operations.

Additionally, the shutdown affected critical business tools and services such as ATMs, GitHub, Google Docs, Slack, and other online services vital to business operations. The disruption of these services caused significant challenges for companies, impacting their ability to conduct transactions, collaborate remotely, and maintain operational efficiency.

The shutdown also had a notable impact on the healthcare sector, with reports of medical equipment being affected by the loss of internet connectivity. This disruption could have potentially life-threatening consequences, as medical devices and systems that rely on internet access were rendered inoperable.

Moreover, the transportation industry faced challenges due to the shutdown, particularly in navigation and traffic control systems. The disruption of these systems could lead to transportation delays, logistical issues, and even safety concerns for vehicles and fleets that depend on real-time data and connectivity.

The overall economic impact of the internet shutdown was significant. Initial estimates suggest that the outages cost Belarus more than $56 million per day in losses. This includes the disruption to businesses, loss of connectivity for citizens, and the impact on the country's thriving IT sector.

The disruption to businesses during the internet shutdown in Belarus underscores the critical role that internet access plays in modern society and the economy. The prolonged outage affected a wide range of sectors, causing operational challenges, financial losses, and highlighting the importance of stable and unrestricted internet connectivity for businesses and citizens alike.

The shutdown was not successful

The disruption began on the morning of Sunday, 9 August 2020, with YouTube and Messenger stopping work first, followed by the blocking of two important election platforms, Golas and Zubr. In the afternoon, the whole mobile internet was shut down, and most media outlets were unavailable. However, a few independent media outlets, such as tut.by and news agencies, remained accessible. Messaging apps such as Viber, WhatsApp, and Messenger were blocked, and the authorities even tried to block Telegram, the most popular app for information sharing in Belarus. When the electoral districts closed, home internet was blocked too.

The internet outages caused significant disruption to businesses, with ATMs, online services such as GitHub and Google Docs, Slack, and other vital business operations down. The outages also impacted medical equipment and transport control navigation. However, as the disruptions were relatively short-lived, the consequences for businesses were not as severe as they could have been if they had lasted for a more extended period.

The shutdown also failed to prevent protests or the spread of information during them. Protesters were still able to communicate and coordinate, and information about the protests, including videos and photos, was shared through Telegram and other channels.

Additionally, the shutdown reinforced suspicions that the election results were counterfeit and led to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and foreign governments. More than 50 human rights organizations signed an open letter decrying the internet outages in Belarus, and the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, criticised the use of internet shutdowns, calling the election "not free and fair".

The internet blackout isolated Belarus from the World Wide Web

The internet blackout in Belarus created a significant disruption, leaving its 9.5 million citizens with limited access to the outside world. This blackout occurred amid a tense presidential election and widespread protests, further exacerbating the already volatile situation in the country.

A Planned Blackout

The internet shutdown in Belarus was not an unexpected event. In the days leading up to the election, there were reports of leaked plans to shut down internet services. Additionally, journalists from the Russian newspaper *Moskovsky Komsomolets* were warned by a salesperson that connectivity outages were likely imminent. This advanced knowledge of the blackout indicates a level of planning and coordination by the Belarusian authorities.

Widespread Disruption

The internet blackout in Belarus impacted various online platforms, including social media, search engines, and news sites. Popular services such as YouTube, Messenger, Viber, WhatsApp, and Telegram were blocked or faced significant disruptions. The disruption also extended to specific websites, particularly those associated with the election and independent media outlets. This included platforms such as "Golos," "Zubr," "Naviny," and "Tut.By."

Impact on Information Flow

The internet blackout severely hindered the ability of Belarusian citizens to access information and communicate with the outside world. With limited internet access, citizens struggled to establish contact and share updates about the election and the ongoing protests. This created an information vacuum, further exacerbating the tension and uncertainty in the country.

International Condemnation

The internet blackout in Belarus drew international condemnation, particularly from human rights organizations and foreign governments. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized the internet shutdown, stating that it hindered "the ability of the Belarusian people to share information about the election and the demonstrations." He also described the election as "not free and fair." The European Union and other international bodies have also expressed concern over the situation in Belarus, with some calling for the recognition of the opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, as the rightful elected president.

A Tool for Control

The internet blackout in Belarus can be understood in the context of a broader trend of governments using internet shutdowns as a tool of repression and control. By disrupting online platforms and communication channels, authorities can limit the organization and spread of dissent and control the flow of information. However, as seen in the case of Belarus, such tactics can also fuel further anger and protests, creating a cycle of unrest and authoritarian response.

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