In the past decade, governments around the world have increasingly restricted access to popular social media platforms, leaving over 4 billion people in the dark during times of political turmoil. According to Surfshark, at least 50 countries have curbed websites and apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, with some governments going as far as imposing decade-long restrictions.
Surfshark, a popular VPN service, recently released new statistics on the matter, revealing that over 1.55 billion people have been affected by long-term restrictions, while around 2.3 billion people have faced restricted access for an average of 4126 hours. The company’s spokeswoman, Lina Survila, expressed concern over the extent of the restrictions, highlighting the impact on people’s access to news and information during times of crisis.
In addition to authoritarian regimes, even some Western democracies have shown a willingness to gain greater control over online communication. The U.S. and France have taken steps to regulate social media platforms, prompting concerns about the potential for increased censorship.
Survila emphasized the importance of preserving individuals’ access to social media, noting that banning entire platforms is not a viable solution. She also pointed out the rise in VPN censorship, with China and Iran being the biggest offenders in 2023.
In response to these restrictions, VPNs have become a crucial tool for bypassing social media blocks. VPNs, or virtual private networks, encrypt internet connections and mask users’ real IP addresses, enabling them to access blocked platforms. In the face of increasing censorship, VPN developers are continuously enhancing their tools to help users navigate these restrictions.
Survila hopes that by raising awareness of social media restrictions, public pressure can be built to encourage authoritarian regimes to reconsider and potentially cease these actions. With the release of these studies, Surfshark aims to shed light on dangerous practices and put pressure on countries’ leaders to reevaluate their approach to online censorship.
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