Why do states blocked social networks?

Publication date: 16 December 2025

Blocking social networks and services is a complex measure that states can implement for various reasons. The primary official reasons include combating the spread of prohibited information, protecting national security, or complying with local legislation. On 3S.INFO, we thoroughly examined the causes of blocking, collected the most interesting stories from around the world, and found out how important it is for promoting gambling and betting.

Political Control and Security: Social media are frequently used to organize mass unauthorized protests. Authorities claim that blockades are necessary to combat terrorism, extremism, calls for violence, and coordination of riots. In unstable situations, authorities may restrict access to mitigate destabilization risks.
Protection of National Interests: Blocking services accused of collecting user data and transferring it to foreign governments or corporations (for example, accusations of espionage).
Sovereign Internet: Efforts to create national alternatives to foreign services (as seen in China or Iran) to support local IT companies and maintain control over digital spaces.
Legal Regulation and Censorship: If a social network refuses to comply with national legal requirements (such as storing user data within the country, removing banned content), it may be blocked.
Moral and Cultural Norms: Some countries block platforms that distribute content contradicting religious or traditional values (pornography, LGBT topics, etc.).

Most commonly blocked are large global platforms that simultaneously have a massive audience and significant political/informational influence.

Social Network / Messenger	Blockade Characteristics	Reasons for Blocking
Facebook*	One of the most frequently banned social networks: completely blocked or severely restricted in China, Iran, North Korea, Turkmenistan, and periodically blocked in several other countries during protests or elections.	Political content, coordination of protests, refusal to follow local requirements regarding censorship and user data.
Instagram* and WhatsApp	Instagram, being a Meta* product, is usually blocked together with Facebook* (“package ban”) in places like China, Iran, partially Russia, and elsewhere. WhatsApp is often blocked due to encryption concerns, difficulty in monitoring chats, and its role in organizing protest rallies (China, North Korea, some Middle Eastern countries).
X (Twitter)	Banned or significantly restricted in China, Iran, North Korea, Turkmenistan, Russia, Pakistan, and several other countries.	Used for political mobilization, criticism of authority, dissemination of “extremist” or unwanted content.
YouTube	Complete ban in North Korea, severe restrictions and partial bans in China, Iran, Turkmenistan, and several other countries.	Uncontrolled video informing, political videos, investigations, as well as “immoral” or religiously sensitive content.
TikTok	In many countries, it is not always fully blocked, but forbidden on government devices or discussed for a total ban (USA, several EU countries, Taiwan, etc.) due to suspicions of data transfer to the Chinese state and risks of “cognitive warfare” and propaganda.
Telegram	Frequently blocked or limited in countries with strict censorship (Iran, Turkmenistan, etc.) and during protests in individual states due to encryption, anonymous channels, and difficulties controlling content.

China: Constant blockade of Facebook*, Instagram*, X (Twitter), YouTube, and most Western messengers.
Iran: Regular and prolonged blocking of X (Twitter), Facebook*, Instagram*, Telegram, TikTok, and other platforms, especially during protests.
North Korea: Virtually complete closure of access to the global internet and social networks for the population; only domestic networks are used.
Turkmenistan: Long-term blocking of popular social networks and messengers (Facebook*, X, WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, etc.), officially justified by “security” concerns.

From temporary shutdowns of Twitter in Turkey to permanent bans on TikTok in India. Governments increasingly use social media blackouts as a political tool. This article chronicles the largest internet blackouts, their causes and consequences for users and the digital industry. In recent years, there have been many high-profile bans, but several cases particularly influenced the global discussion on freedom of speech and the role of platforms.

Currently, Australia doesn’t block social media altogether, but it has introduced one of the world’s strictest age restrictions on their use by children.

Starting December 10, 2025, Australia became the first country in the world to officially prohibit the use of social networks by children under the age of 16. Major platforms (Facebook*, Instagram*, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, X, Reddit, Twitch, Threads, Kick, etc.) must verify user’s ages, block accounts belonging to those under 16, and prevent re-registration attempts.

Platforms must implement age verification mechanisms: activity analysis, selfie-check, potential use of documents or payment data. Users mistakenly blocked who are older than 16 can regain access by confirming their age. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to AU$49.5 million (~US$33 million).

Authorities justify the measure as a way to protect children from harmful content, cyberbullying, screen addiction, and adverse psychological effects, arguing that the platforms themselves aren’t doing enough. The ban received support from many parents and children’s ombudsmen, but human rights activists, tech companies, and some teenagers criticize it as excessive restriction of freedom of expression and access to information. The law is already being challenged in courts.

Nepal experienced a sharp conflict in 2025 due to widespread social media blockades, which rapidly escalated into a political crisis.

What happened? In early September 2025, the Nepalese government ordered the blocking of major foreign social networks and messaging apps that failed to register with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology by the specified deadline (August 28). Platforms affected included Facebook*, Instagram*, WhatsApp, YouTube, X (Twitter), Reddit, LinkedIn, and others. Officially, the reason given was non-compliance with new rules: absence of registered representation in the country and failure to meet regulator requirements.

The blockade sparked outrage among young people, for whom social media serves as the primary channel for communication and information. Massive protests erupted in Kathmandu and other cities, dubbed by the press as the “Generation Z revolution”. Thousands of schoolchildren and students took to the streets carrying slogans like “Ban corruption, not social media.” The protests quickly escalated into clashes with police and military forces, resulting in at least 19 deaths and hundreds injured, prompting curfews in the capital city.

Amidst the escalation, the government held an emergency meeting and announced the lifting of the ban on September 8-9, instructing telecom operators to restore access to all previously blocked social networks and messenger apps. The authorities acknowledged that the decision should align with the demands of Generation Z, although the political damage proved substantial: protests and criticism continued, discussions arose regarding resignations and accountability of those behind the blockade.

India’s Blockings: One Stroke…

In 2020, the most notable social media blocking incident in India involved TikTok and a package of Chinese apps.

In summer 2020, the Indian government announced the blocking of 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok, WeChat, UC Browser, and several other services and games. The official justification cited “threats to India’s sovereignty and integrity, defense capabilities, state security, and public order” amid heightened tensions with China and border conflicts in Ladakh.

The authorities claimed that these apps illegally gather and transmit Indian users’ data to overseas servers, thereby posing risks of espionage and mass surveillance.

This ban became part of a broader “digital decoupling” policy: India gradually pushed Chinese IT services off the market and promoted its own and “friendly” platforms. By 2021-22, the list of banned Chinese apps expanded to several hundred (including TikTok, PUBG Mobile, Shein, AliExpress, etc.).

There have been many high-profile blockages in the 21st century, but several cases particularly impacted the global discourse on freedom of speech and the role of platforms.

The largest and longest-standing example of social media blocking is “the Great Firewall of China”. In mainland China, almost all major Western platforms are unavailable: Facebook*, Instagram*, X (Twitter), YouTube, WhatsApp, Telegram, as well as Google services (search, Gmail, Maps, YouTube) and many other websites and apps.

China established what is known as “the Great Chinese Firewall”, a complex of technical and legal measures: filtering by IP and domains, keyword-based blocking, deep packet inspection, mandatory data storage within China, and strict content moderation. Officially, this is explained as a means to protect national security, fight extremism and fake news, and promote digital sovereignty by advancing home-grown platforms (WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, Youku, etc.) that are subject to state control.

In addition to blocking foreign networks, authorities regularly conduct cleanup campaigns within Chinese platforms: deleting “pessimistic” content, complaints about life, economic critiques, and narratives unfavorable to the state. Accounts of bloggers with tens of millions of followers are blocked if they spread, according to regulators, “negativity” or undermine established social values (e.g., rejection of career, marriage, and childbearing).

In Myanmar, social media blockades are closely linked to the military coup and the army’s attempts to suppress protests.

Following the military coup on February 1, 2021, the new authorities ordered providers to temporarily block Facebook* and related services (Facebook Messenger*, WhatsApp, Instagram*). Officially, this was justified as “maintaining stability” and combating “fake news,” but in practice, Facebook served as the primary channel for coordinating civil disobedience and covering the coup.

Several days later, Twitter and Instagram were also blocked as protest activity shifted to these platforms. The authorities were also accused of nighttime internet shutdowns and targeted connectivity restrictions in regions where protests were strongest.

By that time, social media had become virtually the main source of news and a platform for political debate in Myanmar, so the military viewed them as a threat to their control. These blockades greatly complicated the organization of protests and access to information, but did not halt resistance: users began massively adopting alternative communication channels. The history of Myanmar became one of the vivid examples demonstrating how authoritarian regimes immediately resort to social media blockades after seizing power.

Knowledge about social media bans by country isn’t just theoretical. It’s crucial for the survival of advertising campaigns in gambling and betting industries.

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Choosing Working Channels and Creatives
- In blocked or partially restricted social networks, advertisements won’t appear: budgets will be wasted or you’ll face extremely harsh moderation and account bans.
- Understanding the landscape of blocks helps identify where the target audience primarily engages — not on Facebook/TikTok, but perhaps on local messengers, forums, iGaming portals, streaming platforms, or apps. This is critical for planning channel splits and media mix strategies.
Read more
Legal Risks and Compliance
- In some countries, promoting online casinos and bookmakers on blocked social networks can be interpreted as participation in illegal advertising or bypassing restrictions, potentially affecting not only accounts but also legal entities.
- Understanding local social media bans helps structure campaigns within legal boundaries, safeguarding the operator, network, and one’s own business.
Read more
Traffic Quality and Operator Approval
- Licensed operators increasingly demand that traffic comes from legal sources and without violating local laws. Otherwise, the risk of chargebacks, penalties, and contract termination increases.
- If an affiliate understands which social networks and formats are banned or under close supervision in a particular GEO, they can propose legal alternatives and build trust with the brand.
Read more
Long-Term Strategy and Scaling
- A global map of blockades shows which channels are unstable or might shut down for political reasons, and which are more predictable. This helps build a resilient strategy instead of relying solely on one or two platforms that could disappear tomorrow.
- For scaling across Tier 1/Tier 2 markets, it’s vital to anticipate where you’ll need to shift to content platforms, SEO, partnerships, and streaming instead of conventional SMM-performance tactics.
Read more

Understanding blocked social networks in different countries is fundamental hygiene for media buyers and marketers in gambling and betting. It prevents budget losses, reduces legal risks, maintains relationships with operators, and plans sustainable growth.

For professionals in traffic acquisition, marketing, and communications, up-to-date information on blocked digital services is essential. 3SNET presents the professional tool “Blocked Services”, a centralized database of current restrictions. The service allows you to receive the exact availability status by specifying the date, country, and service. Monitor risks, make informed decisions, and ensure the continuity of your operations. Choose the option that best fits your audience and communication channel!

*Meta Corporation has been designated as extremist in Russia. Its owned social networks, Facebook and Instagram, have been blocked by court decision.

FAQ

Why do states block social networks?

States block social networks to control information flows and limit opportunities for mass self-organization, ranging from protests to extremist activities. Additionally, it serves as a tool to protect national security and data (combating espionage and foreign influence) and promotes domestic platforms instead of global services. Finally, blockades are used as a form of censorship and protection of traditional values when network content contradicts existing legislation, religious, or cultural norms.

Which social networks are most frequently banned and why?

Most commonly restricted are Facebook*, Instagram*, WhatsApp, X (Twitter), YouTube, TikTok, and Telegram because they provide rapid mass reach and are used for organizing events, political mobilization, and spreading unwanted or hard-to-control content. Reasons include encryption and anonymity, refusal to comply with censorship and data transmission requirements, as well as allegations of spying and propaganda.

In which countries have social media blockades become systemic policy?

China operates the “Great Firewall”. Almost all Western social networks and services are permanently blocked, replaced by localized analogues controlled by the state. In Iran, North Korea, and Turkmenistan, access to global social networks is either severely restricted or practically nonexistent, with blockades intensified during protests and political crises.

Why should marketing, gambling, and betting specialists know about social media blockages?

Blockages directly determine whether your ad campaigns will be shown at all. In banned networks, budgets won’t be spent or will lead to account bans. Understanding the blockage map helps in selecting working channels (local social networks, messengers, forums, streaming platforms) and building campaigns within the local legal framework, reducing legal risks and the danger of sanctions from operators.

What lessons can be drawn from the illustrative cases of Australia, Nepal, India, China, and Myanmar?

Australia imposed one of the strictest age restrictions on social media for children under 16, showcasing a trend toward “child protection” through access limitation. Nepal, attempting to block almost all major social networks at once, triggered a “Zoomer revolution” and was forced to swiftly reverse its decision. India mass-blocked TikTok and dozens of Chinese apps as a tool of digital geopolitics and cybersecurity. China constructed a sustainable model of complete control over external platforms. Myanmar used the immediate blocking of Facebook and Twitter after the coup d’état as part of suppressing protests.