Facebook is the most popular social platform globally, with over 2 billion people using it daily. Still, the platform excludes some people because they cannot access it in their country due to geo-restrictions. Surprisingly, this situation is for a smaller portion of the world’s population.
Some governments perceive Facebook as a threat because of its widespread reach and the presence of its headquarters in the US. The officials even ban access to some parts of their internet for political reasons.
As a public forum that allows freedom of information sharing, Facebook is always at the mercy of government censorship. Administrations have also banned its associated apps, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger.
If you live in one of these countries or plan on visiting any of them, you need a solution that guarantees you access to Facebook. The good news is that a VPN is a handy solution for that.
This article highlights a step-by-step guide for bypassing these censorship barricades and freely accessing Facebook from anywhere.
Bypass Facebook Restrictions – Quick Guide
- Subscribe to a reliable VPN like NordVPN.
- Download and then install the VPN app on your device.
- Sign up and then log in to your VPN account.
- Connect to a secure server in an unrestricted region.
- Open Facebook through the app or browser.
- Clear your cache and cookies if you still can’t access it.
- Use a mobile hotspot for additional bypass if needed.
Editor’s Tip: Best VPNs to Bypass Facebook Restrictions
What Causes Facebook to be Banned?
Official use censorship to control and restrict media. Some countries use it to monitor the information their citizens consume and also put some control on it. As a result, the people only see what the government wants them to see.
Facebook is an online social network where friends share stories, posts, religious, social, and political ideas and interact with one another. The app builds a global union that influences societies and affects them.
For these reasons, some governments do not want to expose their citizens to some of the effects of globalization. They restrict Facebook and other platforms they consider a threat.
Extreme Cases of Censorship
In certain regions, authorities limit free speech, social media, and news to an extent. Countries like Turkey, Thailand, and Myanmar are under some level of online content restriction. Sometimes, the reason for these restrictions may stem from religious motifs.
Another reason for censorship is when content is inappropriate or immoral. These could promote pornography, drug use, and alcohol abuse.
Restriction by Facebook on a User
Facebook authorities do not leave out banning users from using the service. For specific reasons, the platform can deem it fit to temporarily take down a user’s profile due to illegal content. Facebook uses algorithms that actively detect illegal activities and often make mistakes.
Sometimes, the algorithms might mistake expressions of displeasure or disagreement for hate speech and derogatory comments. Then, they unjustly restrict the user’s account, depriving the user of usage access.
How to Bypass Facebook Restrictions Anywhere Today
Accessing Facebook from a restricted area can be daunting without the proper knowledge. So far, few known methods are available for bypassing restrictions, including using a VPN, Tor Browser, or changing a device’s DNS settings.
Here, we shall discuss these methods, explain how they work, and give recommendations where necessary.
Using A VPN to Bypass Facebook Restrictions
Though they might cost a few dollars, VPNs remain the most accessible and preferable option for accessing Facebook. Once you have connected to a server, you will appear to be communicating from the server’s location.
Some VPNs have protocols that let them break down the strongest of restrictions. However, they exist among so many others that are not so standard. If you don’t know your way around these VPNs, here are our recommendations on the best ones to help bypass Facebook restrictions.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is one of people’s favorite VPN providers, gaining their love by giving years of satisfactory performance. It has a good reputation for speed and a high value on privacy. There are about 6,000+ servers readily available to help change your location in times of need.
The service commits to keeping its users’ connections anonymous and away from the prying eyes of the government or other third parties. It boasts impressive features like a kill switch and a no-logs policy that ensure users’ privacy.
NordVPN offers three main tunneling protocols: OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and NordLynx. These protocols help users transfer data between their devices and the server. NordLynx is the most advanced and superior to the others because it upgrades them and ensures better speed and security.
Features of NordVPN
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the fastest, most secure, and prosperous VPN services, with features that can keep you completely anonymous. The VPN has over 3,000 servers that can effectively break through any geo-restrictions.
You can trust ExpressVPN regarding privacy because of the measures it takes to ensure this. It has performed a series of independent audits on its no-logs claims, and they’ve been accurate. It also runs a bug bounty program regularly to identify and fix bugs.
Its advanced VPN protocols are responsible for its high-standard speed and security performance. ExpressVPN encrypts its users’ connections using the AES 256-GCM and ChaCha20/Poly1305 ciphers. Other protocols include the Lightway protocol, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), L2TP/IPsec, and IKEv2.
Features of ExpressVPN
3. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access is a premium VPN with a user-friendly interface and excellent security features. It boosts its users’ confidence in its privacy level by using RAM-only servers that do not retain any data. The speed of PIA’s over 35000 servers is reliable, allowing for a seamless connection.
Another way it shows its privacy level is its strict no-log policy and the fact that you can sign up anonymously. All you need to sign up is an email address and payment details. Therefore, users can use a private email address and cryptocurrency payment method to better hide their privacy.
For higher encryption of the user connection, PIA uses AES-256-GCM encryption, which is also faster than the usual AES-256 encryption. The other data-sharing protocols between the device and the VPN servers include OpenVPN (TCP/UDP), WireGuard, and IKEv2/IPsec.
These protocols effectively encrypt data and switching between them is easy. The service uses a unique NoBorders to bypass geo-blocking.
Features of Private Internet Access
Using Tor Browser to Bypass Restrictions on Facebook
Another way to get around Facebook’s restrictions is by using the Tor browser. This sounds too easy, but it works, though it has its downsides. This browser works by routing the user’s traffic through relays that have been distributed around the world.
Using relays this way makes it challenging for the government, ISPs, or other third parties to spy on your online activities. The problem with the Tor browser is that it can reduce your internet connection and download speeds.
Changing DNS Settings to Bypass Restrictions on Facebook
DNS, an abbreviation for Domain Name Systems, is the most accessible tool for attacking blocks in a network or server. By altering the settings on the device’s DNS server, you can quickly gain access to your restricted account.
Google offers the most used free DNS online, and to configure the DNS on your device, you must follow specific steps:
- Click on settings to open it.
- Go to the network section and select the connection for which you want to set up its custom DNS.
- Click on the Name Servers section to edit it.
- If the server is an IPv4 server, click the Custom Name Servers button and change the values to 8.8.8. and 8.8.4.4.
- If the server is an IPv6 server, click on the Custom Name Servers and change the values to 2001:4860:4860::8888 or 2001:4860:4860::8844.
- To apply the settings, leave the Network Section.
Countries that Restrict Facebook and Why?
Some countries currently restrict Facebook, while others have restricted it at one point or another. Let’s look at why these countries acted the way they did:
1. Cuba
There was a protest against the Cuban government in July 2021, and the authorities had to block Facebook, keeping citizens away for days. The officials are highly in control of their access to the internet in these countries.
The Cuban government controls its ISPs, throttling connection speed to prevent access to social media sites. It also prohibits any information that harms the country’s social interests.
2. Iran
Facebook was banned in Iran after the 2009 election, which was highly disputed. It was banned because it was feared that the two contesting parties used it to plan and execute secret plans. Along with Facebook, some other websites are also banned in Iran.
3. China
China has blocked Facebook since 2009 due to the Urumqi riots that happened the same year. The Chinese government suspected the Xinjiang activists of plotting the riots through Facebook. In response, the Great Firewall of China added different means of censorship, such as filtering, website blocking, and apprehending defaulters.
However, the government allowed Facebook to retain relationships with foreign investors within the 17-square-mile free-trade zone in Shanghai. They also left it unblocked in administrative centers like Macau and Hong Kong.
4. Bangladesh
The government in Bangladesh took drastic steps to limit online freedom of expression in the country. Every citizen is careful about their public thought expression as they could be searched and arrested without a warrant.
The Awami-League-led government of Bangladesh has made it a duty to monitor their citizens, searching for those who would post disrespectful content online.
5. Egypt
During the crises that came with trying to overthrow the President of Egypt in 2011, access to Facebook and other social media networks was blocked in the country. This did not last then; rather, it re-surfaced during the COVID-19 health challenges.
Facebook users in the country started experiencing breakage and glitches in its Voice Over Internet Protocol service. The government occasionally throttled the connection to reduce people’s access to and use of social media.
6. India
The Indian Government has granted Facebook the right to censor content from its citizens, especially unlawful posts. 2016 was more shocking as Facebook was banned in the Kashmir Valley for six months.
The ban was due to suspicions that Facebook and other social networks were avenues for anti-nationals to communicate.
7. North Korea
North Korea happens to be one of the countries in the world with a high level of restriction. The majority of the citizens of North Korea have no access to the internet. In the place of the Internet, the government provided an intranet, which is still heavily restricted.
The North Korean Government blocked Facebook in 2016 and has not lifted the ban since. Therefore, no one tries to access social media networks without government approval.
8. Myanmar
Myanmar experienced a military coup in 2021, which brought about a halt to freedom of media expression. Citizens can no longer express political disagreements openly online, as it is illegal. The events after the coup triggered the blocking of Facebook and its other associate apps.
Anyone who is caught posting critical content online will be arrested and can be punished severely to dissuade others.
9. Pakistan
In 2010, a page was created to organize a global online competition. This competition required participants to paint or draw the image of the Prophet Muhammad, which is generally prohibited. Facebook became restricted for religious reasons in the country.
However, the ban on Facebook in Pakistan was lifted, but individuals are blocked when any political or religious violence is noticed in their posts.
Other countries that have placed restrictions on Facebook content from time to time include Vietnam, Turkey, Tajikistan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan.
What to Do When the Use of VPNs Is Also Banned
When governments are so intentional about an action, they can get to any length to ensure it is carried out effectively. VPNs are not a secret, meaning that the government is aware that some people still access these sites through VPNs.
Countries like North Korea and China have stated that VPNs should be discontinued, making their usage punishable. So what happens if you find yourself in any of these places? Here’s how you can still access VPNs despite this constraint.
Download Opera Browser and connect to its built-in VPN. You can visit Premium VPN websites, subscribe, download the app, and use it through Opera VPN.
Conclusion: Get Past Restrictions and Enjoy Facebook Anywhere
As the world’s most popular social networking platform, Facebook is the primary source of information and communication for most people. However, it becomes unbearable when you discover that your country has banned the service.
These bans stem from different reasons, such as security, religious, and even political reasons, and the order comes from the government. To overcome this restriction, you must know other ways to bypass those restrictions and still access the platform.
Using a VPN can save you time like these, so if a VPN does not match your preference, you can try the Tor browser or adjust the DNS settings of your device. Any of these approaches should work towards helping you bypass Facebook restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Several countries have banned Facebook temporarily or permanently at one point or another. Countries like China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, Uganda, Russia, and Turkmenistan continually ban Facebook.
The Chinese government banned Facebook for political reasons. The ban first came due to suspicions that activists were using it as a communication tool. China also likes to regulate the information flow into its country, and since Facebook is a free opinion platform, it is banned.
VPN is not an option for anyone living in Belarus. It is strictly prohibited and punishable in the country. Tor Browser is also not allowed as it has been blocked by the government in Belarus.
VPNs securely connect us to servers in different locations, removing restriction issues. It is possible to use a VPN to bypass the restrictions of your region and gain access to Facebook.
Some countries have adamant governments that try to control everything that gets in and everything that leaves. The internet is a very open window to many things, so countries’ governments restrict internet access. Since these governments are not ignorant of VPNs, some try to block VPNs from working in their countries.
