Gabon social media clampdown sparks VPN surge and arrests

Gabon social media clampdown fuels VPN surge and arrests

In February, Gabon’s media regulator announced an indefinite suspension of major platforms, citing security threats amid anti‑government demonstrations. The Gabon social media clampdown ignited a rapid uptick in VPN usage, with reports of a ↑ 70% increase within weeks.

Security forces began stopping motorists in Libreville and other cities, seizing phones that displayed VPN apps and detaining owners. Activists claim the crackdown extends beyond the stated security rationale, targeting dissenters and opposition voices.

“Our accounts were disabled without explanation,” one opposition member told Reuters.

Human‑rights groups warn that the blanket ban violates constitutional guarantees of free expression. The government’s justification mirrors past episodes where emergency decrees were used to silence critics, a pattern documented by Bloomberg.

Citizens have turned to encrypted messaging and peer‑to‑peer networks, echoing digital resistance seen during the pandemic when online surveillance intensified.