Platform Block
Blocking access to a specific online platform or service.
Definition
A platform block targets a specific service—social media, messaging app, or website—while leaving the broader internet accessible. Platform blocks are typically implemented through a combination of DNS blocking, IP blocking, and SNI filtering.
Platform blocks are often announced officially (regulatory action) or occur without acknowledgment. They may be permanent, temporary, or triggered by specific events.
How We Detect This
We test connectivity to platform-specific endpoints including web, API, and app servers. When multiple test types (DNS, HTTP, TLS) fail for a platform while general internet access remains functional, we identify a platform block. We confirm by testing from multiple probes within the affected network.
Examples
- •Twitter blocked following government criticism
- •WhatsApp inaccessible during election period
- •Wikipedia blocked over specific article content