The Dark Side of the Kill Switch: Inside 2025's Record-Breaking Internet Shutdowns

About this episode

The episode discusses the rise of internet shutdowns globally and the implications for citizens and governments, focusing on the paradox of VPN usage in the UK.

313 blackouts. 52 countries. One global crisis. Internet shutdowns are no longer just blunt nationwide blackouts. From Uganda to Iran, governments are now using sophisticated tools to cut off Starlink, exempt their own institutions, and silence critics—while ordinary citizens are left completely offline. In Iran, a blackout has now lasted 30 days, on track to become the longest complete internet shutdown ever recorded. So what can people actually do to fight back? The VPN paradox; why the UK wants to restrict teens from using a tool its own government relies on every single day. The UK government wants to restrict VPNs for teens, but it uses them itself. That's the paradox at the heart of a new investigation from TechRadar. The UK is consulting on "Growing Up in the Online World" – which could see consumer VPN apps face age-verification rules, making it harder for teenagers to bypass online checks. But here's the twist: multiple UK government departments and public bodies regularly purchase and use VPN services. Sam Woodhams, VPN Managing Editor at TechRadar has been investigating. The programme is presented by Ania Lichtarowicz. Become a supporter of this podcast…

People in this episode

Host: Ania Lichtarowicz

Guest: Sam Woodhams

Topics covered

• internet shutdowns
• government censorship
• VPN usage
• digital rights
• youth online safety
• global crisis

Keywords

• internet blackouts
• VPN paradox
• government censorship
• digital rights
• youth restrictions
• online safety
• global crisis

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: TechRadar

Places: UK, Uganda, Iran

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