In this era of everything being digital and posting everything, it turns out that there are still some countries in the world that limit or even prohibit their people from using the internet, let alone social media.
This internet blocking is carried out and influenced by several reasons in each country. Which countries restrict internet usage, and what are the reasons behind it?
Let's discuss them one by one, reported by Independent Advisor. Listen!
1. China
China/Photo: Pexels/Aboodi Vesakaran
China or what is also called China is the most censored country on the internet in the world. His government blocks sites and applications that are deemed to conflict with his regime, which is seen as authoritarian. This was done to silence parties who wanted to disrupt the Chinese communist regime.
There, internet and social media use requires a VPN. That's also difficult to do. If you are in China, you cannot use chat applications like WhatsApp because VPN blocks are difficult to bypass.
2. North Korea
Korea Utara/Photo: Pexels/Aboodi Vesakaran
North Korea is also one of the countries that prohibits the use of VPNs. The country's authoritarian regime severely limits internet access and only a small number of high-ranking officials can access it.
Students at certain universities also have limited internet access because all sites are strictly monitored and censored by the government. North Korean citizens can only get internet access from intranet services which are also strictly controlled by the government via 3G devices.
3. Syria
Syria/Photo: Pexels/Osama Naser
The internet in Syria is closely monitored and some VPNs are blocked. People in this country are also prohibited from accessing several technological tools and operating systems. Internet access is restricted throughout Syria and citizens who exceed access limits will be severely punished in this country.
4. Iran
Iran/Photo: Pexels/Inimafoto A
Since 2013, the country has banned the use of VPNs. However, citizens are permitted to use government-approved VPNs (which are strictly monitored). If caught using a VPN that is not approved by the government, the user could face up to one year in prison.
This is one of the reasons Iranians have held many protests over the years, which actually resulted in a complete internet shutdown by the government.
In 2012, the government blocked a number of websites, internet access, including social media such as Instagram. In 2019 and 2022 there was a complete shutdown of internet connections in response to protests about fuel prices.
5. Russia
Rusia/Photo: Pexels/Sergey Velov
VPNs are not completely illegal in Russia, but the government has had conflicts with VPN companies for years. So, in 2017 Vladimir Putin signed a law restricting the use of VPNs.
Blocked VPNs include ExpressVPN, IPVanish, NordVPN, and others.
6. Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan/Photo: Pexels/Aboodi Vesakaran
The Turkmenistan government is known for its strict internet policies. The government enforces online censorship so that its citizens can only access the internet through controlled internet service providers (ISPs) based in Turkmenistan.
In addition, the internet costs there are also very expensive, the connection is slow, and it is only available to vetted citizens. The use of VPNs has also been banned in the country since 2019.
7. Because
Kuba/Photo: Pexels/STOUTfilmsHavana
Cuba's internet is censored and closely monitored by its government. Only 18% of Cubans have internet access even though connection speeds are very slow. The internet and social media are strictly controlled and monitored by the government in the country.
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