YouTube is a widely used video-sharing site, however, some countries such as Russia, Turkey, and Brazil have implemented restrictions or bans on its usage. Here is a countdown of ten countries that have censored YouTube.
Today we will be discussing the top 10 countries that have censored YouTube, despite it being the most popular video-sharing site in the world.
In this list, we will examine different countries that have implemented censorship or bans on YouTube in the past. The ranking will be based on the severity of the reasons and the extent of the censorship.
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Let’s get started!
#10: Russia
Russia has censored YouTube before, particularly in their battles against extremism. In 2010, a video was uploaded showing Dokka Umarov, an Islamic extremist, claiming responsibility for the Moscow Metro Bombings. The video was taken down. The Kavkaz Center, an independent Islamist news agency, claimed that Russian officials ordered the removal of over 300 of their videos. In July 2010, the city court of Komsomolsk-on-Amur attempted to block YouTube for hosting extremist content, but the ban was unsuccessful.
#9: Brazil
The paparazzi record everything. In September 2006, Brazilian fashion model and TV host Daniella Cicarelli and her boyfriend were filmed fooling around on a public beach. The video gained attention on the internet, and Cicarelli asked YouTube to take it down. Despite their efforts, users continued to upload the clip, and it spread further online. Frustrated, Cicarelli and her boyfriend sued YouTube and requested a ban on the site until the video was removed. Surprisingly, the Brazilian court agreed, and YouTube was blocked in the country for a few days before the decision was reversed.
#8: Turkey
YouTube censorship is not uncommon in Turkey. In March 2007, videos that insulted the founder of Turkey were posted, leading to Türk Telecom, the main internet provider, blocking the site until the offensive videos were taken down. YouTube has been banned multiple times since then, including in 2010 when a video of politician Deniz Baykal in a romantic encounter was leaked. Another ban occurred in March 2014 when a recording of government officials discussing military involvement in Syria was leaked.
#7: Libya
In January 2010, Libyans discovered that they could not access YouTube because of objectionable videos. These videos included protests by family members of prisoners who were mistreated in Abu Salim prison. Other videos showed Muammar al-Gaddafi’s family at a luxurious party. The ban was lifted after one year when the Libyan Civil War ended.
#6: Thailand
YouTube censorship is not unfamiliar in Thailand. In 2006, several videos were uploaded on the site that mocked the country’s King, which is illegal under Thai law. To unblock the site, Google had to remove 20 “offensive” videos, including those insulting the King and criticizing the law. It was blocked again in March 2007 without any official reason, and again the following month when more offensive videos and images of the monarch were posted. Finally, after nearly five months, the ban was lifted when YouTube agreed to block the offensive content for Thai viewers.
#5: Turkmenistan
On Christmas Day, 2009, YouTube and other social websites like LiveJournal were blocked in Turkmenistan. No official reason was given for the block. However, news sources claim that the government wanted citizens unable access alternative information and news sources. They hoped this would prevent outside journalists from providing intelligence.
#4: China
YouTube is blocked in China, except in certain areas. It was first blocked in October 2007 for five months. Then, it was blocked again in March 2009 due to videos showing security officials beating protesters in Tibet, a region that desires independence.
#3: Pakistan
Pakistan first banned access to YouTube in February 2008, citing “non-Islamic objectionable videos.” However, many believe this was a cover for videos allegedly showing evidence of vote-rigging. The ban was imposed again in May 2010 due to blaspheming images of Muhammad. It remained in place after YouTube failed to remove the trailer for an anti-Islamic film. The ban was lifted three years later when YouTube introduced a local version that gave government officials more control over controversial content.
#2: Iran
Iran has a history of internet censorship, particularly involving Youtube. Although some ISPs allow access to the video sharing site, schools and universities have the privilege to unblock YouTube for educational purposes.
#1: North Korea
YouTube is blocked in North Korea. Many citizens don’t have internet access. Those who do have access are limited to a government-controlled version. In April 2016, YouTube, along with Facebook and Twitter, were banned. People caught accessing the site could face an unknown punishment.
Why did these countries banned Youtube videos and ban people to access Youtube blocked, especially the North Korean government?
The many countries where Youtube is banned have their own set of reasons which are listed in the article above.
This was my list of countries where Youtube is banned and the reasons why these countries block youtube videos embedded and banned youtube access to youtube. Being Youtube banned and having a blocked access to youtube on this popular video sharing platform that blocks you from watching a Youtube video or music videos or having a Youtube channel completely blocked on the Youtube app, in Google translate or in another search engine.
This is not fun on social media platforms like Google services, but not all countries ban Youtube or has Youtube restrictions or block access to streaming sites in many countries or on Youtube TV. The North korean government fears the chinese government and blocked china videos insulting their leaders.