Gabon - February 2026

On 18 February, the High Authority for Communication (HAC) ordered the suspension of major social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok and YouTube, ‘until further notice,’ citing the spread of false information, cyberbullying, and the unauthorized disclosure of personal data. The regulator argued that online content was contributing to social tensions and deepening divisions in the country. The suspension was made after authorities cited security concerns during anti-government protests and growing social unrest, with teachers and civil servants staging strikes over pay and working conditions. The measure prompted criticism from human rights organizations and civil society groups, which described the suspension as a disproportionate restriction on freedom of expression and access to information. Critics warned that the indefinite nature of the ban could limit public debate and reduce opportunities for civic participation, particularly through digital channels. 

Sources: BBC; Human Rights Foundation; The Guardian; Africa News