A Global Coalition Speaks Up for Zambia

More than 370 organizations from 106 countries have joined together under the #KeepItOn coalition to send a direct appeal to Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema. Their message is simple but urgent: as Zambia heads into upcoming elections, the government must guarantee that citizens have unfettered access to the internet throughout the entire electoral process.

The coalition, coordinated by digital rights group Access Now, has spent years documenting and campaigning against internet shutdowns worldwide. Their letter to President Hichilema frames internet access not as a convenience but as a human rights issue, one tied directly to freedom of expression, access to information, and the ability of citizens to participate meaningfully in democratic processes.

Why Elections Are a Flashpoint for Internet Shutdowns

Elections have become one of the most common triggers for government-imposed internet restrictions around the world. When citizens can't access the internet, they lose the ability to verify election results, communicate with observers, report irregularities, or simply stay in touch with family and friends during politically sensitive periods. Shutdowns can also cut off access to independent news sources, leaving citizens dependent on state-controlled information channels at precisely the moment when accurate information matters most.

The #KeepItOn coalition's appeal to Zambia reflects a pattern seen repeatedly across the globe. Governments facing contested elections sometimes justify shutdowns as necessary for public order or national security, but digital rights advocates argue these restrictions almost always do more harm than good. They disrupt small businesses that rely on mobile money and online transactions, prevent journalists from reporting in real time, and can mask human rights abuses that might otherwise be documented and shared with the outside world.

This appeal to Zambia arrives against a troubling global backdrop. As covered in our reporting on 2025 being the worst year on record for internet freedom, the #KeepItOn coalition has documented an alarming rise in shutdowns worldwide, with governments increasingly turning to connectivity restrictions during moments of political tension. Zambia's election period is now being watched closely as a test of whether this trend will continue or whether sustained international pressure can push governments toward greater transparency.

The Privacy and Security Angle

While shutdowns are often discussed in terms of free expression, they carry significant privacy and security implications as well. When governments restrict or throttle internet access, they frequently do so through centralized control points, such as telecom providers or internet service providers, that can also be used for surveillance. Citizens attempting to circumvent shutdowns often turn to tools like VPNs or mesh networking apps, but these workarounds aren't always reliable during a full network shutdown, and using them can sometimes draw unwanted attention in jurisdictions where circumvention tools are restricted or monitored.

There's also a data protection dimension. During periods of restricted connectivity, people may be forced onto fewer, more centralized platforms or services, reducing the diversity of communication channels and potentially increasing the amount of personal data flowing through fewer, more easily monitored systems. This concentration can make it easier for authorities, or malicious actors, to track individual communications and movements during politically sensitive periods.

What This Means For You

If you're following Zambia's election period, whether as a resident, a member of the diaspora, or simply someone tracking global internet freedom trends, there are a few practical realities worth understanding. First, internet shutdowns rarely happen without warning signs, such as government statements about "public order" concerns or previous instances of throttling during protests or political events. Staying informed about these signals can help you prepare.

Second, if you rely on connectivity for work, communication with family, or civic engagement in a region where shutdowns are a risk, it's worth understanding your options in advance rather than scrambling during a crisis. This includes knowing which offline communication tools exist, understanding how mobile data versus fixed broadband access might be affected differently, and being aware that circumvention tools have varying levels of effectiveness depending on the type of restriction imposed.

Finally, international pressure campaigns like this one from #KeepItOn do have a track record of influencing government behavior in some cases. Public appeals, combined with monitoring and reporting from digital rights organizations, create documentation trails that can matter for future accountability efforts, even when they don't prevent a shutdown outright.

Actionable Takeaways

  • Follow credible digital rights organizations for real-time updates if you have connections to Zambia during the election period.
  • Understand that VPNs and circumvention tools help with content restrictions and censorship, but they cannot restore access during a complete network shutdown.
  • If you manage a business or organization with operations in Zambia, consider contingency communication plans that don't rely solely on internet connectivity.
  • Support and share credible reporting on internet shutdowns to help maintain international attention on the issue.

The #KeepItOn coalition's appeal to Zambia is a reminder that internet access during elections isn't just a technical or political issue. It's a matter of basic rights that affects how citizens participate in shaping their own governments. As the election approaches, continued attention from the global community may play a role in determining whether Zambia's internet stays on.