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Social media ban: 6 countries that don’t let you use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or WhatsApp

Nepal banned 26 social media platforms in September, sparking protests that led to a swift reversal. While France proposes controls for minors, many other countries impose stringent bans

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In September, Nepal banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter (now X), WhatsApp and LinkedIn. The ban triggered nationwide protests and unrest, forcing the government to reverse it within a week.

France, meanwhile, has not imposed a nationwide ban but is pushing strict controls for minors. President Emmanuel Macron and lawmakers have proposed banning social media for children under 15.

Here are countries that have banned social media, selectively or otherwise.

China

In mainland China, social media is blocked under the “Great Firewall”. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter (X), YouTube and Snapchat cannot be used without VPNs.

Instead, people use monitored apps such as WeChat, Weibo, Douyin and QQ. However, Hong Kong and Macau remain exceptions.

North Korea

In North Korea, people cannot access platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube or Twitter (X). Only government elites, researchers and some foreigners use a tightly-monitored internet.

Russia

Russia banned Facebook, Twitter (X) and other major platforms in 2022. The government enforces strict censorship and surveillance. It regularly blocks sites seen as hostile.

Iran

Iran has long banned Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other platforms. The government censors online activity to block politically-sensitive content and promote domestic apps.

Despite strict monitoring and restrictions, many Iranians use VPNs and tools to bypass controls and access blocked sites.

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan blocks almost all foreign social media. People cannot use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram. Internet access is tightly controlled, with only state-approved sites allowed. Independent online communication is nearly impossible.

Myanmar

Myanmar banned Facebook, YouTube and other social media after the February 2021 military coup. The junta blocked platforms to silence dissent and control news.

Other countries

India banned TikTok and many Chinese apps on security grounds. Turkey often blocks Twitter, Facebook and YouTube during unrest. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Vietnam and the UAE impose varying restrictions.

Ethiopia shuts social media during unrest or ethnic clashes. Bangladesh sometimes blocks platforms to curb misinformation. Pakistan imposes selective bans during political events. Posts seen as “blasphemous” are also prohibited.

Fact Check

India vs Pakistan LIVE Updates, Asia Cup 2025: Dubai Pitch And Weather Report Out, Forecast Says…

After a big nine-wicket victory in their opening match against UAE, Suryakumar Yadav and co will be eager to claim another win over the arch-rivals Pakistan.

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India vs Pakistan Live Updates, Asia Cup 2025: Team India will face Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025, Group A match on Sunday in Dubai. After a big nine-wicket victory in their opening match against UAE, Suryakumar Yadav and co will be eager to claim another win over the arch-rivals Pakistan. On the other hand, Salman Ali Agha and co will be coming to this match after a 93-run victory over Oman. Amid all the boycott calls due to the Pahalgam terror attack, the players are focusing on the game, in order to bring out yet another nail-biting encounter between the two teams. Head coach Gautam Gambhir has reportedly had a big role to play already in settling some Indian nerves ahead of the Pakistan clash. (Live Scorecard)

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Hong Kong developers test homebuyer sentiment as residential market outlook improves

Developers are now testing the waters” by pricing new projects at market rates, aligning with average prices in nearby developments or slightly higher, said Joseph Tsang, chairman of JLL Hong Kong. “But it seems like the market is still expecting more discounts, as sentiment has yet to recover, which is reflected in the sales performance.”

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Two major residential developments in Hong Kong saw tepid sales over the weekend despite a slow recovery in the city’s property market, showing that buyer sentiment has yet to fully rebound even as developers strive for higher profit margins amid a stabilisation in home prices, according to analysts.

“Developers are now testing the waters” by pricing new projects at market rates, aligning with average prices in nearby developments or slightly higher, said Joseph Tsang, chairman of JLL Hong Kong. “But it seems like the market is still expecting more discounts, as sentiment has yet to recover, which is reflected in the sales performance.”

In the first round of sales on Sunday, Henderson Land Development sold 76 of the 148 units as of 3.30pm at its To Kwa Wan Road redevelopment project, Highwood Phase I. The units were priced at an average of HK$18,179 (US$2,336) per square foot, exceeding the HK$17,968 per square foot for the first 30 units released in 2023 at the nearby Uptown project developed by Yu Tai Hing.

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Fact Check

Belgian councillor did not call for Belgians to leave Belgium or Europe 

A 25-second video clip of Saliha Raiss speaking at a council meeting in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean on August 27 was shared on Instagram with the claim she’d called for a “Europe without Europeans”.

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A councillor called for people annoyed by Islamic attire in a Brussels suburb to live in another part of the Belgian capital, not for Belgian citizens to leave the country or Europe, contrary to widely shared online posts.
 
A 25-second video clip of Saliha Raiss speaking at a council meeting in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean on August 27 was shared on Instagram with the claim she’d called for a “Europe without Europeans”.

Elon Musk shared, opens new tab an identical post on X with the caption: “Belgians must leave Belgium!? This is insane.” It received more than 42 million views.

However, the video clip shows Raiss suggesting people who are annoyed by veiled women in Molenbeek, which is home to a large Muslim population, to leave and live in another of Brussels’ 19 districts, opens new tab. It does not show her calling for Belgians to leave Belgium or Europeans to leave Europe.

Raiss, wearing a turban, opens new tab, spoke in French but her comments translated into English read: “And if these people who wear curtain fabrics [referring to Islamic headscarves] – I can give the references if you want because apparently it arouses a lot of interest – if we disturb that much, if they don’t even want to see us anymore, I mean the region has 19 municipalities, if in Molenbeek apparently it’s very unlivable, change sides, go somewhere else! Get out!”

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