Thread

1. throwaway27448 · 1790505215 · focus · HN ↗

   I don't understand why countries don't simply block facebook, instagram, etc. There's zero upside to allowing them.

   1. firtoz · 1790505495 · focus · HN ↗

      The people rely on them too much, sadly

      1. _bent · 1790510484 · focus · HN ↗

         People in Iran or China don't rely on Facebook and Instagram. Before Facebook penetrated Europe in ~2010, each local market was dominated by copycat services like StudiVZ or Hyves, which then vanished within 2 years. When the US floated the idea of banning TikTok, some people felt compelled to download Chinese social media apps.

         If a country was to ban Facebook from operating in their country, people would be on an alternative 2 weeks after. There are reasons why a Facebook ban would be hard to enact, but dependence on the product is not one of them

         1. icantevenhold · 1790510936 · focus · HN ↗

            I think you’re not aware how deeply engrained WhatsApp and instagram are in Brasil.

            I think dependence is definitely a problem because everyone would get mad at you for having to switch. Sure in the long run it wouldn’t be an issue but immediately you will lose some voters

            1. ByThyGrace · 1790515553 · focus · HN ↗

               Didn't Brazil massively adopt Bsky as an alternative to X? And in a very short timespan too? Did they turn around on that?

               1. icantevenhold · 1790524322 · focus · HN ↗

                  Maybe, I don’t use either - but WhatsApp is a different use case too

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