The government of Mauritius is reacting sharply to a wiretapping scandal ahead of parliamentary elections on November 10: it has blocked access to all major social networks for citizens of the island state in the southwest Indian Ocean. The national regulator, the Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICTA), ordered the block until November 11. According to the authority, the measure aims to control the illegal publication of audio clips through social networks and the Internet, which could “threaten national security and public order”.

Anzeige

Previously, recordings of intercepted communications of politicians, businessmen and representatives of civil society were leaked through social media. Five well-known journalists were also affected, according to Reporters Without Borders. Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and the police have complained that the recorded conversations were manipulated using artificial intelligence (AI) before they were released. The head of government is currently fighting for re-election in the next five years and for a majority for his party, the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM).

Democracy is being undermined

British NetBlocks Observatory he confirmed that several social media platforms in Mauritius are no longer accessible. Statistics released Friday consistently show zero percent data traffic from the country’s main network operators to service providers like Facebook, including Messenger, LinkedIn, Tiktok, YouTube and X. Telecom service provider Emtel previously said technicians working on implementation. blocking regulation.

Members of the KeepItOn coalition urged the government of Mauritius on Friday to immediately end the ongoing social media shutdown. The global network brings together more than 334 human rights organizations from 105 countries. These include Access Now, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), the International Press Center (IPC) and Reporters Without Borders. “Mauritius is known for its strong stance in upholding political and civil liberties and has always been classified as a free country,” the alliance writes. “However, the targeted shutdown of key social media platforms shortly before an election risks undermining human rights and the country’s democratic progress.”

Network operators are also criticized

Such blocks prevent “voters, journalists, the opposition and election observers from accessing or exchanging important information,” KeepItOn claims. This undermines the fairness, credibility and transparency of elections. It would empower the incumbent government to “control reporting throughout the election period.” The Mauritian constitution guarantees freedom of expression and access to information as fundamental human rights, he continues. This also applies to international agreements such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).

The telcos are also reminding civil society organizations of their “duty to uphold human rights and take proactive measures against rights-violating practices such as internet shutdowns.” Therefore, they should not obey the order at all. The government must also ensure that internet access is fully restored. In parallel, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the Internet Society warned that blocking digital platforms would not only stifle democratic processes, but also harm the economy.

(no)