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Social media suspended in Gabon for 'spreading of false information'

HAC spokesman Jean-Claude Mendome announced Tuesday that the High Authority for Communication imposed an indefinite suspension of social media platforms in Gabon, while NetBlocks confirmed Wednesday that Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and WhatsApp are restricted.
The HAC argued the move addressed the spread of false information, cyberbullying, and unauthorised disclosure of personal data threatening national institutions and public order.
Data show users sought circumvention as Google Trends registered rising VPN searches on Tuesday evening and Proton VPN reported usage up 8,000%, while Access Now's Felicia Anthonio disputed the blocks' rationale and urged using OONI Probe to document restrictions.
WhatsApp calls experienced significant disruptions on Wednesday, constraining voice communication for affected users across Gabon as AFP and other reporting agencies confirmed outages.
The move comes amid cost-of-living and teachers' strikes that began in December, with critics saying it fits a pattern of clamping down as President Brice Oligui Nguema faces unrest in Gabon, population about 2.5 million, risking harm to small businesses and younger social-media users.

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readingeagle

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Boston Herald

Center

Gabon Suspends Access to Social Media; Critics Accuse Leader of Suppressing Dissent

By YVES-LAURENT GOMA LIBREVILLE, Gabon (AP) — Gabon has suspended access to social media and digital platforms across the Central African nation until further notice, authorities said, as critics accuse the country's leader of cracking down on dissent. The communications agency said it had observed what it described as inappropriate, defamatory, hateful, and insulting content on social media and digital platforms that undermines human dignity, t…

2 hours ago·United States

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Tech Radar

Center

Gabon blocks social media 'until further notice' as VPN demand soars

Gabon has blocked major social media platforms "until further notice," citing national security. Here is why VPN demand is currently up by 8,000% as residents look to stay connected.

2 hours ago·United Kingdom

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Bloomberg

Lean Left

Gabon Suspends Social Media as Cost-of-Living Protests Spread

Gabon’s media regulator suspended all social media platforms until further notice, as the government faces growing protests over the high cost of living.

2 hours ago·United States

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Africa News

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citizen.digital

Lean Left

Social media suspended in Gabon 'until further notice': media regulator

Gabon's media regulator on Tuesday announced the suspension of social media platforms "until further notice", blaming content posted online for stoking conflict and division in society

2 hours ago·Pointe-Noire, Congo

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Watauga Democrat

+3 Reposted by 3 other sources

Lean Left

Gabon cuts off Facebook, TikTok amid teachers' strike

Social media platforms including Facebook and TikTok were no longer available in Gabon on Wednesday, AFP journalists and a watchdog said, after regulators suspended them over security concerns amid an anti-government labour strike.

4 hours ago·Calhoun, United States

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