Pakistan has blocked Bluesky amid its rising popularity, joining other restricted platforms like X, Facebook, and Instagram. The government also targets VPN services, setting a registration deadline for businesses and freelancers. The growing censorship has sparked concerns over digital rights and access to online content.
Pakistan has blocked the popular social media platform Bluesky amid its rising popularity. The ban was confirmed on November 20, 2024, by the internet monitoring organization NetBlocks. Bluesky now joins other restricted platforms, including X, Facebook, and Instagram, which have been blocked at various points since February 2024. The move comes as the government cracks down on VPN services, with a deadline of November 30, 2024, for businesses and freelancers to register their VPNs. This effort aims to prevent the use of unregistered VPNs, which authorities claim terrorists exploit for illegal activities.
This ongoing restriction of internet access in Pakistan has raised concerns over increasing censorship. Gytis Malinauskas, the Head of Legal at Surfshark, expressed worry over the growing limitations on digital rights. Last week, Pakistan's religious chief also criticized the use of VPNs, calling it against Islamic law and urging a complete ban on these services.
While Bluesky remains blocked, individuals in Pakistan are still finding ways to bypass the restrictions, with VPNs being the most common workaround. Despite the recent service disruptions and the looming crackdown on unregistered VPNs, tools like Tor Browser continue to be used to access blocked content safely. However, the impact of the new regulations on VPN use in Pakistan remains uncertain, with many concerned about further tightening of digital freedoms.
