Internet and Social Media Censorship Across the World

https://www.expressvpn.com/blog/internet-censorship-report-2020/

In this 2020 report, ExpressVPN examines how social media and internet censorship varies from country to country all over the world. As many people know, many authoritarian governments like to use social media censorship and internet censorship to prevent citizens from having access to certain information, to stop citizens from organizing protests or riots, and to prevent citizens from challenging the government’s power.

According to this report, countries such as Cuba and Haiti have very little access to the internet at all. Not only that, but many countries in the Middle East implement strict internet and social media censorship policies during times of riots and protests. Interestingly enough, some countries don’t allow its citizens to have access to certain social media platforms at all. For example, this report found that Facebook, Telegram, Twitter, and TikTok are not available in Iran whereas Instagram is. Additionally, all foreign social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are banned in China except LinkedIn. I wonder why the Chinese government allows its citizens to use LinkedIn but not any other social media platform?

Overall, I am happy to know that so many countries across the globe allowing its citizens to have access to social media and the internet. While there is still a long way to go to ensure that everyone in the world has equal access to the internet and social media, I truly believe that this will come about in the next decade or so.