Turkmenistan has entered a new wave of internet shutdowns, with reports indicating the mass blocking of hundreds of thousands, potentially millions, of IP addresses. According to turkmen.news, this initiative stems from cyber security officials seeking to revive illegal income streams lost after a mid-2024 “internet amnesty.”

Previously, 75% of the global internet was blocked in Turkmenistan under the guise of national security. However, these restrictions largely served as a cover for corruption, with officials selling access to “white-listed” IPs for exorbitant fees.

The recent shift has reintroduced indiscriminate “blanket bans,” severely disrupting access to global and local resources. These measures, paired with the transition to a new, unproven firewall system, have raised concerns about the nation’s cybersecurity competency and transparency.

Comments

• Digital Rights Advocate: “The situation in Turkmenistan is dire. The government’s actions not only isolate its citizens from the global internet but also violate their fundamental right to information access.”
• Cybersecurity Expert: “Using unproven, locally developed firewall systems with a sole focus on blocking IPs exposes Turkmenistan’s digital infrastructure to serious security threats, from data breaches to foreign cyberattacks.”
• Former IT Official: “This isn’t about national security—it’s about greed and control. The blanket bans only highlight the corruption and incompetence within Turkmenistan’s cyber governance.”

The crackdown continues to draw criticism from international human rights and cybersecurity organizations, urging global attention to the ongoing violations.

Ayna Matiyeva

29/01/2025