Bangladesh has imposed a ban on several popular social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, and YouTube, as per reports. This move, announced on Friday, August 2, has effectively restricted access to these widely-used social networks across the nation.
WhatsApp, Instagram, other platforms banned by Bangladesh
Global Eyes News first reported the ban through its official X account, confirming that from Friday onward, access to these social media networks would be limited throughout Bangladesh.
This decision comes shortly after a similar action by Turkey, which also announced a ban on Instagram earlier the same day.
Previous Meta platforms restrictions
According to reports, this latest ban follows a previous suspension of Meta’s platforms Instagram and Facebook in July. The earlier shutdown was in response to widespread unrest witnessed in the country over quota reforms. Sources indicate that access to Meta’s platforms was cut off via mobile networks around 12:15 PM on August 2. Unlike the previous comprehensive shutdown, the current restrictions are reportedly targeting mobile data connections.
Internet speed and VPN usage
Reports suggest that the country’s internet speed had returned to normal levels on August 1. However, with millions of mobile network users affected by the Facebook restriction, there is an expected surge in the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which could potentially slow down overall internet speeds.