Venezuela lifts Telegram ban but keeps TikTok blocked amid ongoing internet restrictions
Venezuela has lifted its ban on Telegram, allowing users to access the messaging app without needing a VPN.
The ban, which started on January 10, 2024, saw Telegram's official website blocked across major internet service providers in the country. However, internet censorship remains prevalent, as TikTok has been inaccessible for over a week following the government's demand that the platform appoint a local representative.
Digital rights group VE sin Filtro reported that the unblocking of Telegram began with some ISPs on the night of January 12, 2024. By January 13, most providers had restored access.
This situation is not unprecedented, as there was a brief Telegram block during post-election censorship in September 2024. Encrypted messaging service Signal is also currently restricted.
This move sparked an increase in VPN usage as Venezuelans sought to bypass the restrictions. In response, the government extended its censorship to the websites of over 20 VPN providers, including popular services like Proton VPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and IPVanish. Despite this, these VPN services are still operational in the country, according to the providers.
The government has now blocked Canva, a graphic design tool, as well as several security-oriented services like the Tor Browser.
This wave of internet censorship has raised concerns over the increasing control of digital communications in the country, as citizens continue to face difficulties in accessing information and communication platforms.
