Key takeaways:
- Telegram and X are banned in various countries due to concerns about security and political stability amid the spread of information that may seem harmful to governments.
- These bans significantly impact free speech, as they limit access to diverse viewpoints and can stifle public discourse.
- Users in banned regions often use VPNs to circumvent restrictions, but this practice carries risks, including legal penalties and potential privacy breaches.
- The effectiveness of X and Telegram bans varies, with some governments partially succeeding while others struggle to enforce them.
Telegram and X have gained immense popularity due to their unique features and widespread use for sharing opinions.
Still, their growing popularity and the multitude of opinions expressed on them can be viewed as destabilizing factors by some governments.
Assessing the impact of Telegram and X bans globally is challenging because it’s difficult to determine the exact number of individuals affected and the total number of accounts removed for not adhering to various countries’ censorship regulations.
This global trend of certain countries banning apps illustrates the ongoing uncertainty around a complex landscape of digital governance.
Why is X banned in certain countries?
In some countries, banning or censoring X can be a preventive tool to ensure and promote security, political stability or cultural values. Governments can also restrict X to prevent the spread of information they consider harmful or to maintain control over public discourse.
X can be banned if it challenges a current regime or promotes ideas that disagree with local norms. These restrictions can vary, with some countries enforcing strict controls while others only ask for content moderation.
List of countries where X is banned in 2024
Brazil
In August 2024, Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered internet providers to block X because Elon Musk didn’t follow a law requiring the company to have a legal representative in the country. This decision also stemmed from past conflicts between Musk and the court over accounts that spread misinformation about an attack on Brazil’s Congress.
China
X, formerly Twitter, is blocked in China due to the country’s strict internet censorship laws that prevent access to foreign social media platforms. After the Uyghur protests in 2009, the government accused Twitter and other social platforms of enabling the organization of protests and the spread of misinformation.
Iran
X is blocked in Iran because the government wants to control and limit access to information and social media. Access to Twitter was blocked in 2009 during the Iranian presidential elections, as it was seen as an instrument for organizing anti-government protests, also known as the Green Movement.
Myanmar
In February 2021, Twitter was banned in Myanmar because the government feared it would be used for planning protests and sharing information that would threaten the regime.
North Korea
In North Korea, the general public lacks access to the internet, with only a small, privileged group having had limited access to X in the past.
North Korea blocked Twitter in 2016 to prevent the spread of information that might challenge or criticize the government. People in North Korea can’t access X without special permission, and trying to do so can lead to punishment.
Pakistan
In February 2024, X was blocked in Pakistan due to national security concerns before a general election.
Russia
In February 2022, Russia restricted access to Twitter, accusing the platform of spreading false information about the Ukraine invasion because stories and opinions on the platform did not align with Russian government publications.
Turkmenistan
Since 2018, Twitter has been banned in Turkmenistan due to the government’s censorship of the internet and many social media platforms, along with a ban on foreign news outlets.
Venezuela
In Venezuela, access to X has been restricted since August 2024 because President Nicolás Maduro said that it promoted hatred and called for violence during anti-government demonstrations.
Did you know? Associated Press and Emarketer reported that a Brazilian ban on X could affect about 40 million people who use X at least once a month.
Why is Telegram banned in certain countries?
Telegram, a popular messaging app, is banned or censored in some countries due to concerns about security and control. Governments in these countries often worry that Telegram’s encryption and privacy features make it hard to monitor communications.
Telegram can be a problem during political protests or unrest because it can be used to discuss times and places to protest, making it hard for governments to control the public.
List of countries where Telegram is banned in 2024
China
Telegram has been blocked in China since 2015 due to a DDoS attack, which many think was a cover-up for blocking the app.
Human rights lawyers in China used the app to openly criticize the Chinese government, which prompted the authorities to ban the app as part of their internet crackdown.
Cuba
Telegram has been barred in Cuba as part of the government’s measures to stop anti-regime demonstrations. This restriction, which was in effect in July 2021 when anti-government protests were rife, was meant to reduce the circulation of information and opposing opinions.
Iran
In 2018, Iran banned Telegram, accusing the app of playing a role in facilitating protests and unrest. The Iranian government planned to promote local alternatives and reduce Telegram’s influence.
North Korea
Telegram is unavailable in North Korea because internet access is reserved for a select few. And even then, it is closely monitored and centered.
Norway
Although Norway has not implemented a complete ban, it has limited the use of Telegram on work devices for officials, citing national security threats from Russia and China.
Pakistan
In October 2017, Pakistan banned Telegram due to concerns over its secure and encrypted messaging features, which authorities feared could facilitate illegal activities.
Thailand
Telegram has been blocked in Thailand since 2020, after it was used to organize anti-government protests. The platform played a key role in coordinating protests against the government, leading to the ban amid a crackdown on dissent.
Ukraine
In September 2024, Ukraine’s Cybersecurity Center banned the use of Telegram on official devices for government agencies, military personnel and critical infrastructure employees, except when required for official duties.
The ban is due to military intelligence revealing that Russian special services can access Telegram users’ personal messages, including deleted ones, exposing Ukrainian forces to potential threats.
Did you know? In April 2018, Russia’s Roskomnadzor attempted to block Telegram by targeting over 18 million IP addresses. Telegram continued functioning, but other services, including Viber and Google, were inadvertently affected.
How VPNs help users bypass X and Telegram bans
Virtual private networks (VPNs) are a tool used by people in countries where X and Telegram are banned, allowing them to bypass government restrictions.
In places like Russia, Cuba and Pakistan, where either Telegram or X are restricted, many users rely on VPNs to maintain access to the platforms.
However, using VPNs to bypass restrictions can have risks, including heavy fines. Although VPNs themselves are not illegal in Brazil, using them to bypass the ban on X is prohibited and can result in a fine of 50,000 Brazilian reais ($8,900) per day.
Also, China, which allows government-approved VPNs, still punishes users who post sensitive content, with imprisonment being a possible consequence.
In some cases, governments are tightening controls over VPN use. In countries like Turkmenistan, Myanmar and Iran, using a VPN to access banned platforms is illegal and may lead to consequences such as fines, government surveillance and imprisonment.
Did you know? With the continued demand to access restricted platforms and use VPNs to bypass bans, unethical VPN service providers increasingly compromise users’ privacy by collecting personal data and exposing them to potential surveillance and cyberattacks.
The impact of social media bans on free speech
Banning social media platforms like X and Telegram can significantly impact free speech by limiting individuals’ ability to express their views and access diverse information.
These platforms are often safe places for political activism, dissent and dialogue on sensitive issues.
Governments restricting access can stifle public discourse, prevent marginalized voices from being heard and isolate citizens from global conversations by cutting off their access to international news and viewpoints.
X and Telegram country restrictions can undermine democratic principles, reducing transparency and accountability in governance.