Categories: Entertainment

Gabon in talks with Meta and TikTok over social media ban

By Rédaction Africanews and AFP

Gabon is in talks with Meta and TikTok over the country’s social media ban, the communication ministry said on Thursday.

Gabon’s media regulator suspended all social media platforms earlier this month, blaming online content for stoking conflict and division.

Companies failed to act despite numerous warnings about defamatory, violent and pornographic content, deputy presidency spokeswoman Jennyfer Melodie Sambat said on Monday.

It is “inconceivable that, after numerous alerts from the government, the group should do nothing”, she added.

TikTok has contacted the media regulator to express its shared commitment to maintaining a “safe digital environment that respects the rights of Gabonese citizens,” according to local media.

Government critics have condemned the ban, calling it “disproportionate” and unconstitutional.

Despite the suspension, some users are still managing to access social media. VPN provider Proton reported a 60,000 percent increase in downloads since the suspension was announced.

Authorities say the ban is not definitive, rather it’s a suspension pending better regulation.

Montage Africa

Share
Published by
Montage Africa

Recent Posts

Malaria’s impact goes beyond recovery

ENTEBBE, Uganda, 27 October 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ - When nine-year-old James Ssemambo developed severe…

2 hours ago

SAP Empowers AI Developers to Build What Matters and Turn Intent into Autonomous Execution

International Space Station’s use of tabular AI and expanded partnerships demonstrate the art of the…

2 hours ago

Malaria vaccine price deal could save $50m and widen access

UNICEF says a conditional deal could lower the RTS,S malaria vaccine price by about 40%…

6 hours ago

Zambia’s economy grew 5.2% in 2025, AfDB report says

An African Development Bank report points to faster growth while warning that Zambia still faces…

6 hours ago

South Africa green-skills project maps jobs linked to clean energy

A partnership backed by a $1 million grant is mapping skills demand and planning local…

6 hours ago

AfDB approves $503.75m Botswana loan for energy relief and jobs

The financing is designed to cushion energy costs while supporting Botswana’s private-sector and jobs reforms.

6 hours ago