No Instagram, YouTube in Bangladesh: Govt Imposes Nationwide Ban

The government of Bangladesh imposes a nationwide ban on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, etc. The state media reported that the ban is applicable across the country on several social media platforms.    

Social Media Platform Shuts on Mobile Networks

Several platforms including Facebook which is restricted to especially mobile this time and the Russian platform, Telegram have also been blocked on mobile connections. This comes after the previous announcement of the shutdown of Meta’s platform, i.e.,  Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, from July 17 to July 31 to curb the unrest situation across the country over quota reform protests.

This shutdown is limited to mobile networks only, earlier it was a comprehensive shutdown. This time the announcement came at around 12:15 on Friday, August 3, 2024. 

The country’s Internet speed had reportedly returned to normal levels on Thursday night.

Bangladesh Has More Than 120 Million Mobile users

The Bangladeshi people are now switching to VPNs which will resultantly impact the overall Internet speeds as the country is a home of over 120 million mobile network users. 

Mobile internet was initially shut on July 17, followed by a shutdown on July 18. These services were restored after five days on July 23. The mobile networks remained offline for 10 days before being reactivated on July 28.  

The internet was suspended across the country when the student demonstration started spreading across the country in various regions in the middle of July. This shutdown is shocking news for all the refugee communities in the country residing in Cox’s Bazar, who believe that the internet shutdown is a potential crisis.