Iraq’s Internet Shutdowns Are Failing Students and Blocking Access to Reproductive Care
By Aws Al-Saadi, founder and president of Tech4Peace
For years, Iraq has imposed nationwide internet shutdowns during high school exams in an attempt to curb cheating. But these recurring disruptions have far-reaching and harmful consequences. They do not just affect students; they also impact millions of Iraqis who rely on the internet for health care, work, education, and connection. Among the most affected are those seeking reproductive health care, where timely access to information and services can be critical.
Internet Blocked During 2025 Exams
In May and June 2025, the Iraqi government once again shut down the internet for several hours each morning during high school exam days — a routine it has followed every exam season since at least 2015. Despite these blackouts, exam questions still leak, often spreading through messaging apps before the tests begin. The shutdowns have not worked, but they continue to cut off millions from essential services.
People Lose Access to Reproductive Health Services
These disruptions are especially harmful for those seeking reproductive health support. In Iraq, where stigma and limited access to in-person services persist, the internet serves as a lifeline. People use encrypted messaging to consult with providers, access abortion pills through telemedicine, and find contraception, mental health support, and emergency care. When the internet is down, these services disappear, leaving people in vulnerable situations.
Shutdowns Hurt Women’s Income
The shutdowns also impact women-led businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, many of whom depend on social media to sell goods and earn income. This is often the only accessible space for women shut out of formal employment. Blocking the internet takes away their livelihoods and support systems.
Daily Shutdowns Cost Iraq $1.4 Million
The economic toll is severe. A single day of internet shutdown in Iraq costs around 1.4 million US dollars, according to the Internet Society’s Netloss Calculator. These interruptions also harm Iraq’s reputation globally, deterring investment and pushing the country further out of the digital economy.
Human Rights Are Being Violated
These shutdowns also raise serious human rights concerns. They restrict freedom of expression, access to information, and privacy. They also block communication and peaceful organizing. These rights are protected under international law, but Iraq continues to violate them with broad shutdowns.
Smarter Security Solutions Exist
There are other ways to prevent cheating. Localized signal blockers, better data protections, and decentralized exam systems are all viable alternatives. Nationwide shutdowns are excessive and damaging.
People Deserve Uninterrupted Access
If Iraq wants to build trust, equity, and security, it must stop these harmful shutdowns and invest in targeted, transparent solutions. People should not lose access to reproductive health care, income, and critical services in the name of exam security. This is not just a technical problem, it’s a systemic failure.
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