By — Colleen Shalby Colleen Shalby Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/social-media-networks-iraq-possible-block-government-prevent-insurgents-plotting Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Social media networks blocked in Iraq to prevent insurgency plotting World Jun 13, 2014 2:50 PM EDT According to the International Business Times, the Iraqi Ministry of Communications has blocked social media networks Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in Iraq to prevent the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria from “using the outlets to organise their insurgency.” The BBC’s Richard Galpin confirmed to the International Business Times that social media networks were down in Baghdad. And the Guardian’s Martin Chulov said that all major social networks in down in Iraq. And down goes Google and Youtube. All main social media platforms now blocked in #Iraq #ISIS — Martin Chulov (@martinchulov) June 13, 2014 A Facebook spokesperson told VentureBeat, “We are disturbed by reports of access issues in Iraq and are investigating,” and Mashable’s Brian Ries reported that a YouTube spokesperson is also looking into the outage. YouTube spokesperson on Iraq outage: "There is no technical issue on our side and we’re looking into the situation." #insm_iq — Brian Ries (@moneyries) June 13, 2014 On Friday morning, President Barack Obama said he would not be sending troops back into combat in Iraq, but is weighing his options for assistance. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Colleen Shalby Colleen Shalby @CShalby
According to the International Business Times, the Iraqi Ministry of Communications has blocked social media networks Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in Iraq to prevent the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria from “using the outlets to organise their insurgency.” The BBC’s Richard Galpin confirmed to the International Business Times that social media networks were down in Baghdad. And the Guardian’s Martin Chulov said that all major social networks in down in Iraq. And down goes Google and Youtube. All main social media platforms now blocked in #Iraq #ISIS — Martin Chulov (@martinchulov) June 13, 2014 A Facebook spokesperson told VentureBeat, “We are disturbed by reports of access issues in Iraq and are investigating,” and Mashable’s Brian Ries reported that a YouTube spokesperson is also looking into the outage. YouTube spokesperson on Iraq outage: "There is no technical issue on our side and we’re looking into the situation." #insm_iq — Brian Ries (@moneyries) June 13, 2014 On Friday morning, President Barack Obama said he would not be sending troops back into combat in Iraq, but is weighing his options for assistance. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now