In 2021 internet censorship from internet blackouts, social media shutdowns, and bandwidth-throttling by governments cost the global economy a whooping $5.5 billion. This article by Isobel Asher Hamilton is published by Insider. Here is an excerpt:

Internet blackouts, social media shutdowns, and bandwidth-throttling by governments cost the global economy a total of $5.5 billion in 2021, according to an annual report by digital security and rights group Top10VPN.

According to Top10VPN Myanmar’s economy was most severely impacted by internet shutdowns. Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup in February 2021. This was followed by extensive internet and social media shutdowns. 

Top10VPN estimates the country’s economy took a blow of $2.8 billion as a result.

Read the full article here.