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| Iraq blocks Facebook and Twitter in bid to restrict Isis | Iraq blocks Facebook and Twitter in bid to restrict Isis |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Iraqi government appears to have blocked Facebook, Twitter and other social media, amid escalating combat. | The Iraqi government appears to have blocked Facebook, Twitter and other social media, amid escalating combat. |
| Users in the country attempting to visit these sites are greeted by a message saying the Ministry of Communications has barred access. | Users in the country attempting to visit these sites are greeted by a message saying the Ministry of Communications has barred access. |
| The move comes after Islamist insurgents used Twitter to post a graphic image of a beheaded man, and to spread propaganda messages. | The move comes after Islamist insurgents used Twitter to post a graphic image of a beheaded man, and to spread propaganda messages. |
| A Facebook spokesperson said the block was "a matter of concern". | A Facebook spokesperson said the block was "a matter of concern". |
| One source in Iraq told the BBC that access to the internet was entirely restricted in some provinces. | One source in Iraq told the BBC that access to the internet was entirely restricted in some provinces. |
| Psiphon, a system which allows users to circumvent internet censorship, told the BBC it had seen a "huge influx" in the numbers of those using its service in Iraq. | |
| On Sunday, more than 550,000 used Psiphon, up from about 8,000 on a normal day. | |
| Commenting on the developments, a YouTube spokesperson said: "We're seeing reports that some users are not able to access YouTube in Iraq. There is no technical issue on our side and we're looking into the situation." | Commenting on the developments, a YouTube spokesperson said: "We're seeing reports that some users are not able to access YouTube in Iraq. There is no technical issue on our side and we're looking into the situation." |
| On Friday, Twitter's public policy unit tweeted: "Users in #Iraq are reporting issues accessing our service. We're investigating their reports and we hope service will be restored quickly." | On Friday, Twitter's public policy unit tweeted: "Users in #Iraq are reporting issues accessing our service. We're investigating their reports and we hope service will be restored quickly." |
| A Facebook spokesperson said: "We are disturbed by reports of access issues in Iraq and are investigating. Limiting access to internet services - essential for communication and commerce for millions of people - is a matter of concern for the global community." | A Facebook spokesperson said: "We are disturbed by reports of access issues in Iraq and are investigating. Limiting access to internet services - essential for communication and commerce for millions of people - is a matter of concern for the global community." |
| Although internet use was heavily controlled during Saddam Hussein's presidency, Iraqis have since enjoyed open access to the net. | Although internet use was heavily controlled during Saddam Hussein's presidency, Iraqis have since enjoyed open access to the net. |