Government Suspends Social Media Platforms, Cites Spread Of False Information
Government Suspends Social Media Platforms, Cites Spread Of False Information
The High Authority for Communication (HAC) in a televised address on Tuesday evening said the decision was prompted by the alleged proliferation of false information, cyberbullying, and unauthorised publication of personal data on digital platforms.
The Gabonese government has ordered the suspension of social media platforms across the country “until further notice,” citing concerns that online content is fuelling unrest and deepening social divisions in the Central African nation.
The High Authority for Communication (HAC) in a televised address on Tuesday evening said the decision was prompted by the alleged proliferation of false information, cyberbullying, and unauthorised publication of personal data on digital platforms.
HAC spokesperson Jean-Claude Mendome announced the directive but did not provide details on the specific platforms to be affected, according to the BBC.
However, widely used applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok are expected to fall under the restriction, as they remain among the most popular social networking tools in the country.
Although social media services were still accessible as of Wednesday morning, residents anticipate that enforcement of the suspension could begin at any time.
The development comes at a sensitive period for Gabon, which has been undergoing a political transition since the 2023 military coup led by Brice Oligui Nguema.
Nguema, who later contested and won the 2024 presidential election with more than 90 percent of the vote, ended over five decades of rule by the Bongo family when he seized power.
Since assuming office, the 50-year-old president has pledged sweeping reforms and a departure from past practices, including the use of internet blackouts to control the flow of information, measures frequently deployed under previous administrations.
Notably, during the last election, foreign and independent media outlets were permitted to film the ballot counting process for the first time.
However, Nguema’s administration is now grappling with growing social and economic tensions.
Teachers initiated strike action in December over unpaid salaries and deteriorating working conditions.
Similar grievances have since spread to other public sectors, including healthcare and civil service, triggering broader unrest.
In his address, Mendome said the suspension was necessitated by what he described as the repeated circulation of “inappropriate, defamatory, hateful, and insulting content” on digital platforms.
For now, many Gabonese citizens are waiting to see whether the suspension will be enforced nationwide and how long it might last.
With labour strikes continuing and social grievances unresolved, the coming days are expected to test both the government’s resolve and the resilience of the country’s digital economy.
