News / Africa

Sudan Blocks YouTube Over Anti-Islam Film

Sudanese demonstrators attack the U.S. embassy as they protest an anti-Islam film, in Khartoum, September 14, 2012.Sudanese demonstrators attack the U.S. embassy as they protest an anti-Islam film, in Khartoum, September 14, 2012.
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Sudanese demonstrators attack the U.S. embassy as they protest an anti-Islam film, in Khartoum, September 14, 2012.
Sudanese demonstrators attack the U.S. embassy as they protest an anti-Islam film, in Khartoum, September 14, 2012.
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VOA News
The government of Sudan has blocked access to YouTube because of the anti-Islam film that has sparked violent protests in many Muslim countries.

Telecommunications chief Ezzeddin Kamel said officials imposed the ban after Google, which owns YouTube, did not respond to a government request to block the film.

Kamel said the government acted after failed attempts to have access blocked specifically to the controversial film. He added that the YouTube site will remain blocked in Sudan until Google carries out the government's request.

A reporter in the capital, Khartoum, said Thursday he was unable to access YouTube.

Protesters angered by the film marched on the German, British and U.S. Embassies in Khartoum last Friday.

Google has not responded to a request for comment from VOA. The company has said it will block access to the film in countries where it is illegal.

The Internet giant has restricted access in countries including Egypt, Libya, Indonesia and Malaysia, among others.

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