Countries where the X social network is banned

 The article outlines the countries that have banned or restricted access to X (formerly Twitter), often due to its use by political dissidents and its potential to spread information challenging the government. Some of the key countries mentioned include:

1. China – Banned Twitter in June 2009, right before the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown. Chinese citizens often use domestic platforms like Weibo and WeChat instead.

2. Iran – Blocked Twitter in 2009 following disputed presidential elections, but the platform is still used to share information about dissident movements.

3. Turkmenistan – Blocked Twitter in the early 2010s as part of broader restrictions on foreign online services, with strict government surveillance on internet use.

4. North Korea – Blocked Twitter in April 2016, allowing only limited access to a few government websites and social media for high-ranking officials.

5. Myanmar – Banned X in February 2021 following a military coup, as part of broader internet restrictions.

6. Russia – Throttled access to Twitter in 2021, followed by a formal ban in March 2022 after the invasion of Ukraine. Many Russians bypass the block using VPNs.

7. Pakistan – Banned X since February 2024, citing security reasons, particularly targeting content related to former prime minister Imran Khan.

8. Venezuela – Blocked access to X for 10 days in August 2024 following contested elections and violent suppression of protests, with the ban extending beyond the initial period.

9. Brazil – Recently banned X by order of Supreme Court judge Alexandre de Moraes due to the reactivation of accounts previously suspended by the courts. Users attempting to access X via VPN face significant fines.

These bans are often linked to government efforts to control information and suppress dissent, particularly during times of political unrest or in authoritarian regimes.

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