Service blocking
X (Twitter), TikTok, Signal
Venezuelan ISPs have blocked access to X (formerly Twitter), Signal and TikTok as part of a broader pattern of digital censorship. X and Signal have been blocked in Venezuela since 8 August 2024, amidst protests against disputed election results announced by authorities. On 28 September 2024, TikTok was also blocked for approximately 7 hours. These measures align with Venezuela's history of digital censorship, where social media platforms are frequently restricted during politically sensitive periods.
- Total Duration 7 hours
Venezuela
- Population
- 28,516,896
Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Not Free
Local impact
The simultaneous blocking of TikTok, Signal and X (formerly Twitter) in september 2024 created a significant information vacuum in Venezuela, disrupting essential communication channels for citizens, journalists, and civil society organizations. This severely impaired the public’s ability to access real-time news, document events, and coordinate civic activities during a period of acute political sensitivity. The disruption was observed across multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs), including the state-owned CANTV and major private operators, highlighting the centralized nature of digital censorship in the country. This multi-platform blockade underscores the heightened vulnerability of digital rights in Venezuela and demonstrates the strategic use of network interference to suppress the free flow of information during critical political transitions.
Related documentation
On 8 August 2024, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ordered the suspension of X (Twitter) for an initial period of 10 days, citing the need to "preserve peace and social stability.". However, the block has continued indefinitely beyond the announced deadline. Meanwhile, TikTok was inaccessible for 7 hours on September 28, 2024 without any public or official order.
Other supporting information
On 28 September 2024, TikTok was blocked for 7 hours on at least 7 different ISPs as reported by VE sin Filtro, based on ad-hoc and OONI Measurements.
Concurrently, on 8 August 2024, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro ordered blocking X (formerly Twitter) in Venezuela for an initial period of 10 days that was extended without clarification, as reported by VE sin Filtro monitoring project of the local digital rights organization Conexión Segura y Libre (CSL). Later that day, the domain signal.org was also blocked, affecting the messaging application's operation.
Different ISPs implemented the block in different ways, but some of the affected domains are:
x.comapi.x.comapi.twitter.comabs.twimg.compbs.twimg.com
Social media
#ÚLTIMAHORA Nicolás Maduro ordena el bloqueo de la red social X (Twitter) en Venezuela por 10 días https://t.co/yWR2XG4pn5 pic.twitter.com/2JbhyD9ViQ
— Monitoreamos (@monitoreamos) August 8, 2024
🚨 Bloqueo contra Signal en Venezuela
— VE sin Filtro (@vesinfiltro) August 8, 2024
La página web de @signalapp signal⸱org se encuentra 🛑bloqueada en la mayoría de los proveedores de internet. Comenzó hoy #8Ago a las 3:00 PM hora de Venezuela.
‼️En múltiples ISP, el uso de Signal también está siendo afectado por el… pic.twitter.com/zKJbDpoqXq