Social media platform Facebook and messaging app Telegram have been inaccessible on mobile networks in the country.
Millions of users were left unable to access the popular social media platform on their smartphones due to the inaccessibility, which started on Friday (2 August) at noon.
While Facebook remains accessible via broadband connections, the ban on mobile access has had a significant impact on users, particularly those in rural areas and lower-income groups who rely primarily on mobile internet.
Other social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Imo, remain accessible on mobile networks.
Sources indicate that following a period of normalisation in internet speeds from Thursday (1 August) night, a restriction on Facebook and Telegram came into effect from around 12:15pm.
The restriction on mobile data could potentially lead to increased use of VPNs, which may further impact internet speed across the country.
This latest action follows a period of heightened unrest surrounding the quota reform movement.
On 17 July, violent clashes led to a comprehensive shutdown of Meta platforms—including Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram—on mobile networks, which lasted until the afternoon of 31 July.
Mobile internet services had been suspended from the night of 17 July, with broadband internet being partially restored on 23 July, and mobile internet services resuming on 28 July.
During this time, Meta platforms and TikTok were unavailable, while YouTube remained accessible via broadband but not on mobile data.
State Minister for Posts, Telecom and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak had previously expressed concerns regarding Facebook's role in the violence and sought explanations from the platform.
An online meeting with Facebook on 31 July and responses from YouTube and TikTok representatives followed. The government had requested the removal of specific content from these platforms.
On 1 August, the state minister said that Facebook had removed 13% of the requested content uploaded between 16-18 July, and 7% from 25-27 July.
YouTube removed approximately 21% of the content between 17-26 July, while TikTok removed around 68%, he added.
