Social media restrictions in Senegal amidst anti-government protests

NetBlocks, an internet watchdog, shows data on social media platforms restrictions in Senegal, amidst anti-government protests. Senegalese are protesting the sentencing of the opposition leader.
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NetBlocks, an organization monitoring internet censorship, has verified that social media were restricted in Senegal on 1 June. Several platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, and Telegram, were limited as the Senegalese are protesting the sentencing of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko.

NetBlocks shared real-time network data, showing the country’s mobile providers, Orange (Sonatel) and Free (Tigo), curtailing data flows. More than 120 vantage points across the country and 4000 measurements confirmed the restrictions on social media platforms, while other platforms had no issues. Senegalese could bypass the restrictions through a virtual private network.

Government-imposed internet censorship is not new in Senegal. Back in 2021, social media restrictions to control protests were also reported. In parallel, a series of cyberattacks on the government’s websites and other digital infrastructure is being led by activists.