Today, Venezuelans woke up without access to social networks (formerly Twitter) from your Internet service. This is not a problem with the region’s app, but a measure applied by the institution responsible for communications in the country thanks to the mandate issued by Nicolás Maduro on August 8th in the afternoon.
According to Maduro, X (Twitter) will be blocked for 10 days in Venezuelain response to posts by the app’s CEO, Elon Musk, questioning the current mandate and the veracity of the July 28 election results. Since then, Venezuela is not the only country to get rid of some apps Russia and Türkiye are on the same wavelengthonly the one against YouTube and Instagram, respectively.
Venezuela was without Twitter for 10 days
Out with X #10Days from Venezuela! In our country there is a Constitution, Law, Institutions and State. 10 days to present your demands. May the networks’ plans to sow violence, hatred and attack people end. #Venezuela from the outside. He #VenezuelanPeople he deserves it… photo.twitter.com/0EuMnQKtHH
— Nicolas Maduro (@NicolasMaduro) August 9, 2024
“Out X for #10Days of Venezuela! In our country there is a Constitution, Law, Institutions and State. 10 days to present your demands. May the plans on the networks to sow violence, hatred and attack #Venezuela from abroad end. The #Venezuelanpeople deserve respect.” This is what Nicolás Maduro announces from his X accountas part of the announcement of its measures.
For Elon Musk’s followers on X (Twitter) it will not have gone unnoticed the intervention of the millionaire tycoon in the current situation in Venezuelaexpressed in publications referring to the tense political situation in the country after the last elections on July 28. Maduro described this as an attack of hatred and promotion of violence in the country by Musk.
Conatel (Venezuela’s National Telecommunications Commission), in response to Nicolás Maduro’s request, has decided to block the X website from existing Internet services on the national territory. This measure, they say, will last 10 days although it could be extended if the government and the app fail to reach an agreement.
Russia Too: YouTube Shuts Down in the World’s Largest Country
On the other hand, Russia has taken its own measures against YouTube. Many users in the country have been unable to access the website, except for those using VPN on their devices. This appears to be part of a measure implemented by the Russian government. They charge that the platform “still believes it can violate our legislation without punishment”said Alexander Khinshtein, head of the parliamentary committee on information policy.
There are rumors circulating around this decision, according to which it is not reduced to a simple YouTube blackout: Russia May Be About to Gradually Abandon Google and Android Servicesuntil they are completely removed from the nation.
Venezuela and Russia aren’t the only ones: Turkey joins the list of countries blocking apps
As if all of the above wasn’t enough, Türkiye is also waging its own campaign against Instagram. Today they decided to block the photo and video app, after accusing it of doing so censored posts expressing condolences over the assassination of Palestinian militant group Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The block has no expiration date, although Türkiye has not ruled out removing it if Instagram accepts its terms.
“We warn Instagram about some crimes. We want some rules to be followed […] We intervene when they ignore legal norms and public sensibilities […] We are in contact with them. Our sensitivity is clear, As soon as they correct these shortcomings, we will remove the ban.. This is a country with laws and rules“, said Abdulkadir Uraloglu, Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure.
Some blocks have an expiration date, while others are indefinite, although always easily solved when using a VPN or browser with VPN. Some political leaders accuse these countries of censorship, although calls for attention have had no effect in abolishing the imposed measures.
Sources | 9to5google, News
