Guinea blocks social media before elections
A report shared by NetBlocks.org, showed that authorities in the Republic of Guinea blocked social media websites in the country on 21 March 2020 ahead of the parliamentary elections and constitutional referendum that is slated for 22 March 2020.
Realtime data monitored by NetBlocks showed restrictions of several social media websites including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, as well as some WhatsApp functionality on Orange and MTN mobile networks in the country. The report further showed that on the Internet service provider (ISP) side, all social media websites were disabled except WhatsApp which was usable because it automatically switches to backup servers.
According to the report, authorities have not issued any legal basis for the ban, even though opposition groups have alleged that the restrictions form part of a ploy by President Alpha Conde to extend his appointment beyond the two five-year limits.
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