Today we’ll talk about something that hits right at the heart of free communication. Signal, the popular encrypted messaging app, has just been blocked in Venezuela and Russia. What’s going on, and what can you do if you’re affected?
Let’s dive right in!
You’re reading The Tech Pulse Report. So, it’s official. Signal is now blocked in Venezuela and Russia.
This app has been a go-to for people trying to avoid government surveillance and censorship. But it looks like the powers that be have caught on and aren’t too happy about it.
In Venezuela, the block comes right after last month’s presidential election, which, surprise surprise, was full of controversy.
With disputed results and protests breaking out, President Nicolás Maduro isn’t taking any chances.
He’s already ordered a block on X (formerly Twitter), and now Signal has been added to the list. According to NetBlocks, an internet monitoring service, Signal has become ‘unreachable on multiple internet providers’ across the country.
Why Signal? Well, it’s pretty clear: it’s all about controlling dissent.
Signal’s encryption makes it a favorite for secure communication, something that’s probably a bit too secure for Maduro’s taste. So, he’s pulling the plug. But it’s not just Venezuela.
Russia’s getting in on the action too.
The country’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, claims that Signal violated Russian legislation. Classic.
As of Friday afternoon, Signal’s backends have been restricted on most internet providers in Russia.
And get this: you can’t even register a new Signal account in Russia without using a VPN.
Sound familiar? That’s because this is the same playbook Russia’s been using to clamp down on dissent and control the narrative.
Now, if you’re one of the people affected by these blocks, Signal has a recommendation: turn on its censorship circumvention feature.
According to NetBlocks, this feature is letting Signal ‘remain usable’ in Russia, despite the blocks. It’s not a perfect solution, but hey, it’s something.
YouTube Outage in Russia
And while we’re talking about Russia, it looks like there’s also been a mass YouTube outage reported in the country.
Users are saying they can’t access YouTube, but before you start thinking it’s just your Wi-Fi acting up, YouTube’s spokesperson confirmed it’s not a technical issue on their side.
So, what’s really going on? Well, it’s pretty obvious: Russia’s tightening the screws even more.
So, there you have it. Signal is being blocked in Venezuela and Russia, and the censorship crackdown is real.
If you’re affected, definitely turn on that censorship circumvention feature and spread the word.
It’s more important than ever to stay connected and keep your communication secure. What do you think about these blocks? Let us know in the comments below, and if you’ve got tips or tricks for getting around them, share those too.
Stay safe out there, and we’ll see you in the next one!