Selected service
Platform Block
Blocking access to a specific online platform or service.
Read the definitionThe definition and detection notes below retain the published reference wording. They are not a current network test.
01 / Definition
What it means.
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.
02 / How We Detect This
What we look for.
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.
03 / Examples
What it can look like.
Twitter blocked following government criticism
WhatsApp inaccessible during election period
Wikipedia blocked over specific article content
Illustrative examples from the glossary, not incident reports or live observations.
Sources
Read the original.
Reference context & original shorthand
Published bypass label: Moderate to bypass.
This is the original index’s editorial shorthand. Actual access depends on the network and technique; this label is not a guarantee. The glossary has no per-entry publication or review date.
Related links lead to definitions in the published glossary.
Complete definition →