The government of Bangladesh has imposed a ban on popular social media platforms including Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and others. This decision is part of broader internet restrictions that have been implemented across the country.
Pakistan must lift ban on X and try to attract foreign companies who will be affected by ban on social media in Bangladesh. No country can move forward by restricting social media because YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X & WhatsApp are must for e-business . https://t.co/HwPVOQns7X
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) August 3, 2024
Government sources have indicated that the bans are a response to concerns over national security and the spread of misinformation and subversive activities online.
However, the specifics of these threats have not been detailed in public statements. Bangladesh had previously imposed restrictions on Meta platforms during particular periods of unrest. This recent move appears to be an extension of similar policies.
⚠ Confirmed: Live metrics show #Bangladesh is again in the midst of a near-total national internet shutdown after earlier social media and mobile cuts; the incident is the second blackout to be imposed, as protesters call for PM Hasina to resign over hundreds of student deaths pic.twitter.com/BKWJxDa3WE
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) August 5, 2024
⚠️ Confirmed: Traffic data show a new disruption to internet connectivity in #Bangladesh with high impact to mobile networks; the incident comes amid reports of more than 50 deaths during a new round of protests calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina 📵 pic.twitter.com/K9UpzaJZxz
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) August 4, 2024
Internet restrictions affect social media usage
Observers note that this is likely to have significant impacts on communication, as these platforms are widely used for both personal and professional purposes. Internet speed has also reportedly been affected, with users experiencing reduced connectivity.
The use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to circumvent these bans has been on the rise. This has prompted further scrutiny and potential countermeasures from the authorities. The exact duration of these bans is currently unclear.
🇧🇩@john_hq3, director @FortifyRights, said Bangladesh's internet shutdowns made it difficult for Rohingya refugees to contact humanitarian groups.
“In the camps, Rohingya are still experiencing restrictions on movement, extortion and detention”.https://t.co/szO8oURSFm
— Fortify Rights (@FortifyRights) August 3, 2024
It is unknown whether this restriction is temporary or if it signals a more permanent shift in Bangladesh’s policy towards social media usage. For more updates, follow local news outlets and technology news platforms.
