Title: Blocking the internet and its impact on digital human rights and freedom

Authors: Ruba Hmaidan; Tareq Al-Billeh; Ali Al-Hammouri; Abdulaziz Almamari; Mohammed Al Makhmari

Addresses: Faculty of Law, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan ' Department of Law, Applied Science Private University, Al Arab St 21, Amman, Jordan; Department Law, United Arab Emirates University, UAE ' Faculty of Law, Applied Science Private University, Amman, Jordan ' Faculty of Law, Al-Zahra College for Women, Muscat, Oman ' Faculty of Law, Sohar University, Muscat, Oman

Abstract: Many countries of the world suffer from the issue of blocking the internet. Meanwhile, some countries instituted protection against blocking the internet by considering that blocking the internet is an infringement of digital human rights that is enshrined in United Nations General Assembly resolutions. Blocking the internet can cause damage to health and education facilities and limit political participation. This blocking of the internet imposed by various governments in countries of the world causes serious harm to people's human rights. Foremost among them is the right to freedom of expression and opinion. In that connection, it should be noted that the internet was blocked during election periods, protests, and the use of force by law enforcement agencies or the holding of examinations for some schools and universities. It should therefore be asked why the internet was blocked, which was usually accompanied by gross violations of digital human rights.

Keywords: internet blocking; human rights; freedom of opinion; freedom of expression; digital rights; internet network.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESDF.2026.156135

International Journal of Electronic Security and Digital Forensics, 2026 Vol.18 No.5, pp.594 - 608

Received: 31 Jul 2024
Accepted: 31 Oct 2024
Published online: 07 Sep 2026 *

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