Iraq blocks access to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google

By Williams Pelegrin June 13, 2014

iraq blocks access facebook twitter youtube google social media 2 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

In an effort to diminish the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS)’s ability to organize and spread propaganda, the Iraqi government has blocked access to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google. While they have been blocked in Baghdad, the country’s capital, it’s unknown whether the ban is nationwide or simply in certain areas.

Recently, ISIS has overrun the cities of Mosul, Falluja, and Ramadi in an effort to make its way to Baghdad. While it isn’t surprising for ISIS to turn to social media, prime minister Nouri al-Maliki presumably blocked the services in order to disrupt the militants’ movement and planning.

iraq-social-media — Image used with permission by copyright holder

VentureBeat received a politically-charged response from Facebook: “We are disturbed by reports of access issues in Iraq and are investigating. Limiting access to Internet services — essential for communication and commerce for millions of people — is a matter of concern for the global community.” Meanwhile, YouTube said that “some users are not able to access YouTube in Iraq.” The spokesperson said that it, as well as Twitter, is looking into the situation.

Recommended Videos

ISIS has been criticized by the United Nations and president Barack Obama, with Obama saying during a press conference that “Iraq is going to need more help from us and the international community.” According to the UN, ISIS has carried out summary executions of civilians when the militant group took over Mosul.

[Image courtesy of Quka/Shutterstock]

Topics

Williams Pelegrin

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Williams is an avid New York Yankees fan, speaks Spanish, resides in Colorado, and has an affinity for Frosted Flakes. Send…

Audio / Video

YouTube gives iOS users another reason to pay for Premium

YouTube Premium on iPhone.

Subscription fatigue is real. But YouTube today just gave more reasons to pony up a few bucks every month for YouTube Premium, especially if you're on iOS. The big selling point for Premium, which costs $12 a month, is that you'll get rid of ads on your YouTube experience. That's worth it in and of itself. But you'll also get the ability to play videos in the background, download for offline viewing, and a subscription to YouTube Music Premium.

The new stuff adds on to all that.

Social Media

YouTube relaxes rules around swearing and demonetization

YouTube

Potty-mouthed YouTubers will be delighted to learn that the streaming site has relaxed its rules around swearing and demonetization.

The change comes after a more restrictive policy introduced in November caused an uproar among YouTube creators, especially the ones who like to use colorful language in their videos. The harsher rules introduced then resulted in profanity-laced content being demonetized, a situation that had serious consequences for those trying to make a living out of creating YouTube content.

Mobile

Don’t watch this YouTube video if you have a Pixel 7

Someone holding the Google Pixel 7 Pro.

Reports of another "cursed" piece of content have been making the internet rounds as a video on YouTube has been causing Pixel devices to crash. The video, a clip from the 1979 movie Alien, seems to cause Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and some Pixel 6 and Pixel 6a smartphones to instantly reboot without warning.

As first reported on Reddit and spotted by Mishaal Rahman, the video will begin to play for only a second or two and then instantly reboot the Pixel 7 it's being played on. Digital Trends can confirm the bug to be active and working, too, with the video instantly rebooting a Pixel 7 Pro we tested it on.