Brazil has recently implemented a ban on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. This decision, which took effect on Saturday, places Brazil among a select group of nations that have taken similar measures against the popular social network.
Intriguingly, most countries with permanent X bans are governed by authoritarian regimes, making Brazil’s democratic status an outlier in this context.
Temporary Restrictions: A Common Tactic
While permanent bans are relatively rare, temporary restrictions on X access have been more common. These short-term bans often target the platform’s role as a communication tool for political dissidents.
The most recent example of such a temporary ban occurred in Tanzania on August 30, 2024. According to NetBlocks, major Tanzanian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) including Airtel, Vodacom, Halotel, Tigo, and TTCL blocked access to X following a police alert about alleged plans by opposition parties to raid stations holding political prisoners.
Similar temporary blocks have been implemented in various countries during times of political unrest or significant events.
Egypt employed this tactic during the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011, while Turkey resorted to temporary bans in both 2014 and 2023. Uzbekistan also restricted access to the platform around its 2021 presidential election.
Countries with Permanent X Bans
Several nations have taken the more drastic step of permanently banning X. Let’s explore these countries and the circumstances surrounding their decisions:
China: The Pioneer of Social Media Censorship
Beijing led the charge in banning Twitter (now X) back in June 2009, before the platform had achieved its prominent status in Western media and politics.
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The ban was implemented just two days before the 20th anniversary of the government’s suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square.
In response to this censorship, many Chinese citizens have turned to homegrown alternatives such as Weibo and WeChat.
Iran: Controlling Information Flow
Tehran blocked Twitter in 2009 amid a wave of demonstrations following a contested presidential election. Despite the ban, the platform has continued to serve as a crucial tool for disseminating information about dissident movements to the outside world, including recent protests against Iran’s repression of women’s rights.
Turkmenistan: Isolationist Internet Policies
This Central Asian nation blocked Twitter in the early 2010s along with numerous other foreign online services and websites. Ashgabat maintains strict surveillance over citizens’ internet usage through the state-run monopoly operator TurkmenTelecom.
North Korea: Limited Internet Access
While North Korea ironically opened its own Twitter account in 2010 to attract foreigners interested in the country, it subsequently blocked the application in April 2016 along with other social media platforms and websites. Internet access in the regime is tightly controlled and restricted to a select group of high-ranking officials.
Myanmar: Silencing Opposition
X has been blocked in Myanmar since February 2021 when authorities targeted the app for its use by opponents of the military coup that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government. The junta continues to maintain a tight grip on internet access in the country.
Russia: Crackdown on “Illegal Content”
Moscow began throttling access to Twitter in 2021, citing concerns about the spread of “illegal content.” A formal ban was implemented in March 2022, coinciding with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many Russian users continue to access X through VPN services.
Pakistan: Security Concerns
Pakistan banned X following parliamentary polls in February 2024, citing security reasons for the block.
Venezuela: Suppressing Dissent
Nicolas Maduro, declared winner of July’s controversial presidential election, ordered a 10-day suspension of X access on August 9 as security forces violently suppressed nationwide demonstrations. The block has persisted beyond the initial 10-day period.
Brazil: Judicial Intervention
Brazil’s block on X stems from a decision by Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes, who highlighted the reactivation of accounts previously ordered suspended by Brazilian courts. Users attempting to access X via VPN face a daily fine of 50,000 reais (approximately KES 1,138,193).
