Written by Dr Michael Broadly, Retired Health Scientist and Public Health Consultant: Health Science Research
Exploring the Impact of Social Media Restrictions on Billions for Balancing Security, Culture, and Access to Information in a Digitally Connected World
We live on an exciting yet problematic planet where billions of people are connected, sharing stories, ideas, and moments in real-time, yet some of the most popular digital platforms are restricted or entirely banned in certain countries. This isn’t a dystopian future — it’s our present reality.
As a seasoned researcher with a new interest in social media and digital tools for public health, I believe the implications of these bans are profound and multifaceted. Today, I want to share the research findings from experts at Linkee.ai.
They ranked the most popular apps currently banned in different countries by collecting data on monthly global and US users and revenue from Statista. For added context, they included Google searches in the US. They finalized the ranking based on the number of monthly users.
Let me share the findings from my understanding of the correspondence.
Facebook Bans in Major Markets
With its staggering 3.05 billion monthly users, Facebook stands as the most popular app globally, yet it’s banned in countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
Despite these significant restrictions, Facebook generated over $130 billion in revenue last year. The question arises: What is the impact of such a platform being inaccessible to millions?
While these bans might be seen as protecting local cultures or political stability, they also limit access to a vast network of information, support, and connections that can be crucial in times of crisis, such as during public health emergencies.
WhatsApp Global Messaging Amid Restrictions
WhatsApp, a messaging giant with 3.03 billion monthly users, is also heavily restricted. Banned in China, North Korea, Syria, Qatar, and the UAE, WhatsApp’s absence is felt deeply, especially considering its role in providing secure communication.
In the U.S., it may only have 98 million users, but globally, it’s more searched online than Facebook, with over 5 million queries each month.
The question of security versus accessibility becomes a central theme, as the very features that make WhatsApp a vital tool for private communication are the same ones that led to its banning in certain regions.
YouTube: Video King in Censored Regions
YouTube is the platform that people turn to for everything from educational content to entertainment.
With 2.7 billion monthly users, it’s the most searched app online, drawing over 10 million queries just to download it. Yet, despite its popularity, it faces bans and content restrictions in North Korea, China, Thailand, Malaysia, and even Germany.
The partial bans raise questions about the balance between free speech and content regulation, a debate that echoes across many countries.
Instagram: Visual Storytelling Despite Bans
Instagram, with its 2 billion users, has become a cultural phenomenon, particularly in the U.S., where it earned $45 billion in 2023 alone.
However, its reach is limited in countries like Vietnam, North Korea, China, and Turkey. The ban in these regions cuts off a significant portion of the global population from a platform many use for self-expression, business, and connection.
Google: The Search Engine Banned in China
Google, a name synonymous with the internet itself, ranks fifth with 1.5 billion monthly users. Despite its universal appeal, it’s banned in China — a country with over a billion people.
This ban raises questions about the flow of information and the global digital divide. With Google generating over $305 billion in revenue last year, the economic impact of such bans is significant, yet the greater concern might be the access to information that many in China are denied.
WeChat: Social Powerhouse Facing Global Scrutiny
WeChat, another messaging app with 1.3 billion users, faces bans in India and restrictions in countries like Canada, the UK, and New Zealand.
Though it has only 4 million users in the U.S., it still brings in over $71 million in revenue. WeChat’s situation illustrates the complexities of digital sovereignty, where nations impose restrictions on apps to protect their citizens’ data and privacy, yet simultaneously limit their global connectivity.
TikTok: Viral Sensation on the Brink of Bans
This one concerns me a bit, as my grandkids are addicted to it. TikTok, with its 1 billion monthly users, is the seventh most popular banned app, facing bans in India and partial restrictions in Nepal, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Indonesia.
With 170 million users in the U.S., its potential ban would result in a significant cultural shift. The debate surrounding TikTok centers on data security, national security, and the influence of social media on society, making it a focal point in the discussion of digital tools in public health.
Spotify: Streaming Music in Banned Territories
I use this one and like it for various reasons, which I will explainin my next story. Spotify, with 602 million users, is a leading platform for music, but it’s banned in countries like China, Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Venezuela.
Despite these bans, it remains the third most searched online app, with over 6 million monthly queries. The restriction of such a platform in various countries highlights the tension between cultural preservation and global access to entertainment and information.
Twitter (X): Social Media Battling Censorship
I previously wrote about this one as it concerns me. Twitter (now X), with 335 million monthly users, is banned in countries like China, Russia, and Turkmenistan.
It may have 76 million users in the U.S., but its global reach is limited by these bans. The platform, known for its role in political discourse and social movements, illustrates the power of social media to influence public opinion — and why certain governments choose to restrict it.
PUBG Mobile: Gaming Icon Under Global Bans
Lastly, PUBG Mobile, a game with 30 million monthly users, closes this ranking. Despite earning $1.1 billion last year, it’s banned in countries like India and has faced temporary bans in Nepal, Pakistan, and China. This highlights how even entertainment platforms are not immune to the complexities of global politics and the regulation of digital tools.
Conclusions and Key Takeaways
These bans on popular apps present a paradox. While governments may impose them for reasons ranging from security to cultural preservation, they also limit access to powerful tools for communication, education, and public health.
As a researcher, I find it clear that the impact of these bans is far-reaching, affecting not only the companies behind these apps but also the millions of people who rely on them for connection and information.
The challenge lies in finding a balance — ensuring users’ safety and security while preserving the openness and accessibility that make the digital world so important.
Reference: The data was presented in a Google Doc for public view.
Based on this research, I plan to create a series to inform my readers. Here is the summary of what I will be covering in this educational series.
1 — Facebook: The Global Giant Facing Censorship Across Multiple Nations: Discover why the world’s most popular social network is banned in countries like China and Russia.
2 — WhatsApp: The Messenger App That’s Changing the Way the World Communicates: Explore how WhatsApp remains a global favorite despite bans in several nations.
3 — YouTube: The World’s Go-To Platform for Video Content — Even in Restricted Zones: Learn why YouTube is the most searched app online and how it navigates censorship.
4 — Instagram: The Visual Platform Facing Resistance in Key Markets: Find out how Instagram maintains its popularity while being blocked in countries like Vietnam and Turkey.
5 — Google: The Search Engine That Powers the World, Yet Faces Bans: Uncover the reasons behind Google’s ban in China and its massive global influence.
6 — WeChat: The All-in-One App Under Scrutiny Worldwide: Delve into WeChat’s global reach and the bans that threaten its growth.
7 — TikTok: The Viral Sensation on the Verge of a U.S. Ban: Understand why TikTok is under fire and how it continues to thrive globally.
8 — Spotify: The Music Streaming Service Loved Worldwide, but Not Everywhere: Explore how Spotify’s global popularity clashes with bans in countries like China and Venezuela.
9- X (Twitter): The Social Media Platform Battling Censorship in Key Regions: Discover how Twitter navigates restrictions in countries like China and Russia.
10 — PUBG Mobile: The Gaming Phenomenon Facing Global Bans: Learn why PUBG Mobile has been banned in multiple countries and its impact on the gaming community.
Any feedback on making the series educational, informative, and useful will be much appreciated.
Thank you for reading my story. I wish you a healthy and long life with your loved ones. In addition to Medium, I am also writing on Substack now. If you want to learn about my first month’s performance,you may check out this story.
My First Month Update for Substack and How Community Engagement Made Me Feel Confident
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I am a retired healthcare scientist in his mid-70s, and I have several grandkids who keep me going and inspire me to write on this platform. I am also the chief editor of the Health and Science publication on Medium.com. As a giveback activity, I volunteered as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many new writers. I will be happy to read, publish, and promote your stories. You may connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I read. You may subscribe to my account to get my stories in your inbox when I post. You can also find my distilled content on Subtack: Health Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly.
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This story was originally published on DigitalMehmet content ecosystem by the kind invitation of my esteemed mentor Dr Mehmet Yildiz (Newsletter), as a guest author on his insightful blog. You can read more blog posts like this on the DigitalMehmet website and its blogs, empowering writers and readers globally through the ILLUMINATION-Connect network.
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